Niagara third baseman Rachael Walker waits as Badger starting pitcher Abby Wells starts her wind-up during a girls varsity softball game against Baraga at the Spring Swing high school softball invitational at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Friday. (Travis Nelson/Mining Journal photo)

MARQUETTE — The Niagara Lady Badgers got the opportunity to open their 2022 season in the comfort of the Superior Dome when they participated in the Spring Swing Invitational over the weekend in Marquette.

The Lady Badgers played three games in the event and finished 1-2. Niagara defeated Baraga 7-0 in six innings and lost to Lake Linden-Hubbell 12-2 in six innings and Pickford 10-5 in four innings.

“It was great to get some games in for the girls,” Niagara coach Brad Richtig. “Gave us a chance as a coaching staff to evaluate the girls and see what we need to work on.

“We did some really good things as we shuffled girls around,” he added. “Usually we have been outside by now; unfortunately we haven’t had that chance. But we will work through this and try and get better. The effort so far in practice has been fantastic.”

Against Baraga, Emma Broullire went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and Abby Wells threw a two-hit shutout while fanning 14.

Niagara scored a run in the first and then added three in the second and three more in the fifth.

The Lady Badgers had just three hits but took advantage of four Baraga errors. Niagara also stole seven bases, led by Abigail Richtig with three and Lillian Loukus with two.

Against Lake Linden, Niagara trailed just 2-1 entering the fourth inning, but the Lakes scored five in that frame and then five more in the fifth to win going away.

Wells went 1 for 3 with the only RBI for Niagara.

Pickford hit the Lady Badgers with seven runs in the second inning to take a big lead. Niagara did score three in the third and two in the fourth, but could get no closer.

Abigail Richtig and Loukus each recorded two hits in the game for Niagara.