IRON MOUNTAIN — Thursday wasn’t a typical day for Iron Mountain senior Niko Burgoon. Yes, it was finally time for the Iron Mountain varsity baseball team’s home opener against L’Anse at Ranger Field. But the Mountaineers’ ace was sick.

“Ironically, his dad texted me in the morning and he was actually sick,” IM head coach Jeff McLean said. “He wasn’t feeling well, but he ended up going to school and gutting it out. He kind of felt better as the day went along.

“When he got to the game he looked like he was a little bit off, but I think it made him more focused and more dialed in. It was just unbelievable.”

The sickness didn’t seem to phase Burgoon as he took the mound for the Mountaineers. He stuck out 14 of the 15 batters he faced and completed a five-inning perfect game as the Mountaineers secured an 11-0 victory.

“Special performance from a kid that’s worked so hard in Niko,” McLean said. “He’s worked so hard and for him to get the opportunity to pitch a perfect game on opening day in his senior year, it’s just a special night.”

Although McLean has seen performances close to Burgoon’s, this was his first time managing a perfect game.

“I’ve been around the game for a long, long time, I’ve witnessed some no-hitters, some one hitters,” McLean said, “But I’ve never encountered someone who’s thrown a perfect game, where no one reaches base. It’s pretty rare.”

Iron Mountain is now 1-3 on the season.

“We started the season out with kind of a tough schedule,” McLean said. “We played Gladstone, Escanaba and started off a bit rocky. But we know they’re really good teams. We just want to see progress, keep moving forward. It was nice to get a home-opener win. Now that we’ve tasted a little bit of victory, hopefully, we can be competitive and just keep getting better every week.”

Jacob Powell led that way for the Mountaineers in the batter’s box with 4 RBIs. Burgoon also recorded an RBI and drew two walks while Powell and Ian Marttila each recorded a double.

“We hit the ball in key situations,” McLean said. “L’Anse is a young team. They had walked some batters and put some guys on base for us. But, when we were able to get the base runner on, we were able to deliver.”

Iron Mountain returns to Ranger Field on Monday at 3:30 p.m. against Negaunee.

BADGERS 6, WOLVERINES 2

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Niagara boys varsity team bounced back from its first loss with a dominant 6-2 win over Marinette & Oconto Conference foe Crivitz on Thursday.

“A much needed conference win after Tuesday,” Badgers head coach Brad Richtig said. “TJ Beard had the clutch hit in the second to give us the lead.”

Niagara is now 6-1 on the season and 5-0 in conference play.

Both teams made it through the first inning without allowing a run and in the bottom of the second, the Badgers made their move.

With two outs, Mason Richtig, Brayden Bartels and Gavin Neuens drew walks and loaded the bases, bringing Beard to the plate. He connected with a pitch for a single and gave Niagara the lead.

The Badgers wouldn’t give up the lead again.

Crivitz tallied two runs in the top of the third and Niagara added two more to its total in the bottom of the fifth.

Mason Richtig got the win for the Badgers. He pitched 5.2 innings and struck out five. Cody Bath came in to relieve Richtig. He pitched 1.1 innings and recorded three strikeouts.

The Badgers received offensive contributions from Bath (1 for 3, 1 walk), Christian Hedmark (2 for 3, 1 RBI), Easton Holmes (1 for 3), Richtig (1 walk), Reid Schroeder (2 walks), Neuens (1 walk) and Beard (1 for 3, 2 RBIs).

Niagara is back in action on Monday as they head to Norway for a 3:30 p.m. game against the Knights.