Negaunee’s Alyssa Borlace, hidden at center, gets mobbed at home plate by her Miners’ teammates after she hammered a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning during a high school softball game played against Norway in the Superior Swing tournament held at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Sunday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

MARQUETTE — Norway used a late surge at the plate and the youthful lineup of Negaunee to pull away for a 12-3 victory on Sunday, the final day of the three-day Spring Swing high school softball showcase held indoors at the Superior Dome in Marquette.

Though the Knights’ seven-run fifth inning proved to be the difference, Norway also set the tone early, scoring in the top of the first after Jordyn Moln singled to bring in the game’s first run.

The Knights continued to pressure Negaunee’s defense, adding another run before the inning ended for a 2-0 lead.

Negaunee responded in the bottom half of the first as leadoff hitter Emma Wills reached base and later came around to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Knights continued to make solid contact in the next inning. Emilee Temrowski’s hit to center put a runner in scoring position, and after a bunt loaded the bases, a bases-loaded walk brought in another run. Kara Stanchina capitalized on a defensive miscue to steal home, extending Norway’s lead to 4-1.

In the third, Norway threatened again, putting runners on second and third with no outs. But the Miners’ defense stepped up as Miya Frederickson made a clutch play at shortstop, throwing home to tag out a runner before a pop fly ended the inning without further damage.

Negaunee got a jolt of momentum in the bottom of the third when Kallen Schultz led off with a single. With a runner on, Alyssa Borlace crushed a home run to deep center, bringing the Miners within one at 4-3.

From there, the Knights locked in. Moln continued her stellar day at the plate with multiple hits, and in the fifth, Norway exploded for seven runs to put the game out of reach.

Kendall Burklund doubled to drive in a run, followed by RBIs from Moln, Kaylee Baldwin and Deanna Cruz. The bases would be loaded when another single helped Norway extend its lead to 12-3 by the end of the rally.

Moln earned the win in the pitching circle for Norway, allowing five hits and three runs over five innings while striking out four. She also went 3 for 3 at the plate. Baldwin and Burklund each collected multiple hits, while Norway’s defense remained solid, committing no errors.

For the Miners, Borlace led the way with a two-run homer, while Schultz and Wills each picked up hits.

Negaunee’s first listed outdoor softball game will be a doubleheader at Manistique at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 14, on the MHSAA website, www.mhsaa.com.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.