MARQUETTE — The Gwinn Modeltowners softball team ran into a tough challenge on Saturday, falling 9-1 to the Houghton JV team in a Spring Swing tournament matchup indoors at the Superior Dome in Marquette. 

A seven-run second inning proved to be the difference, as Houghton took control and never looked back.

The Gremlins came out swinging from the start, putting together quality at-bats and capitalizing on Gwinn’s early struggles. 

Houghton strung together a series of hits, and with some aggressive base running scored multiple runs in the first inning. The Modeltowners had an opportunity to get on the board in the bottom half of the inning, but the Gremlins’ defense held strong, tagging out a runner at home to end the rally.

After two innings, Gwinn was in a deep 7-0 hole, unable to generate much momentum against Houghton’s pitching. The Gremlins added to their lead in the fourth when Josephine Switzer doubled to the wall and later scored on a bunt single by Skye Isaacson, making it 8-0. Houghton continued to apply pressure, loading the bases, but the Modeltowners managed to escape further damage with a key defensive stop to end the inning.

Gwinn fought to stay in the game, with Shawna Sundholm reaching base in the fourth, but Houghton continued to dominate, with its pitcher striking out the final batter to escape the inning unscathed.

The Gremlins tacked on another run in the fifth after Karly Matson’s strong hit brought home Katia Rudak, making it 9-0. 

The Modeltowners showed some fight in the bottom of the inning, though, when Riley Hare got on base, stole both second and third, and then capitalized on a passed ball to scamper home, finally putting Gwinn on the board. Aubrey Paquin also reached base, but the Gremlins’ defense shut down any further scoring opportunities to end the game.

McKenna Wolfe took the pitching loss for Gwinn, allowing nine hits and striking out nine over five innings. Hare and Sundholm each recorded hits for the Modeltowners, with Hare also stealing two bases.

For Houghton, Matson led the offensive charge, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Rudak went a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate, while Switzer added two hits. The Gremlins were aggressive on the basepaths, stealing 11 bases altogether.