Iron Mountain pitcher Evan Medini (8) fires a pitch towards home plate against the Jeffers Jets on Thursday at Ranger Field. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Facing a high-powered Jeffers pitching staff, the cards were stacked against the Iron Mountain varsity baseball team on Thursday at Ranger Field.

Although the Mountaineers rallied in the fourth inning, they ended up falling to the Jets, 17-2, in six innings.

“Early on, I thought we were in the game, we made some plays defensively,” IM head coach Jeff McLean said. “The tale of this game was walks. I think we ended up with 14 walks. When you have a team like that, especially Levi Frahm, he’s probably a Player of the Year candidate in the U.P., you can’t make mistakes.”

The Mountaineers managed to keep the Jets’ bats silent through two innings. However, the wheels began to fall off in the top of the third. Iron Mountain walked four batters and committed one error allowing Jeffers to plate six runs.

The Jets added four more to their tally in the fourth and pulled ahead 10-0. But things could have gotten worse, if not for an incredible play by junior center fielder Ian Marttila.

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

“I thought we lost some momentum earlier, we had a play at first and we didn’t make the play, they scored some runs,” McLean added. “But then, they had a nice hit to center field and Ian (Marttila) made a heck of a throw, threw the guy out from deep center field. I thought we were kind of rolling there. But, once again, it just came down to walks and a couple errors.”

Niko Burgoon reached first after being plunked with a pitch and Jake Powell drove him home with a triple to right field.

Powell scored on a wild pitch and the Mountaineers trailed 10-2. Iron Mountain wouldn’t score again.

Jeffers tacked on seven runs in the fifth to secure the win.

With such a young team, coach McLean wants to focus on building up his pitching staff.

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

“Obviously, it starts with pitching,” McLean said. “And that starts with the coaches, to make sure we continue to work with the kids. We’ve got a young group.

“We pitched two freshmen and a sophomore, who don’t have a lot of time on the mound, so just keep working with them to hit their spots and build confidence,” McLean added. “I think, when you’re a 14-year-old kid going against some 18-year-olds, it’s all about that confidence.”

The Mountaineers battled Hancock in a doubleheader on Friday. They return to Ranger Field on May 1 against Norway at 3:30 p.m.

BOBCATS 11, BLUEJAYS 6

FLORENCE, Wis. — The Florence varsity baseball team extended its winning streak to six games on Thursday as it toppled Three Lakes 11-6 in Florence, Wis.

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

The Bluejays jumped ahead 2-0 after the third innings as the Bobcats’ bats struggled to get going. However, in the bottom of the fourth innings things turned for Florence.

Breyson Kelley drove in the first run when he was hit by a pitch. Bradly Steber plated the next run with a hit by pitch as well. Trent McLain cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to center field. When the dust settled, Florence held an 8-2 lead.

The Bobcats added three runs to their total in the fifth and increased their advantage to 11-2.

Three Lakes plated four in the sixth, but its comeback attempt fell short as Florence picked up the win.

McLain picked up the win for the Bobcats. He pitched four innings and struck out 12. Mason Koski closed things out with three innings and two strikeouts.

Iron Mountain catcher Joey Wahoviak (2) reaches up for a pitch against Jeffers on Thursday at Ranger Field. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

McLain tallied five RBIs at the dish. Matthew Smith went 3 for 4 at the plate and drove in three RBIs. McLain led the way with two stolen bases while Bryce Leffler also recorded one.

Florence is home against Goodman/Pembine on Monday at 5 p.m.

COUGARS 1, BADGERS 0

COLEMAN, Wis. — After tallying a five-game win streak to start the season, the Niagara varsity baseball team fell to Coleman, 1-0, in Coleman, Wis. on Thursday as it has lost two in a row.

The Cougars scored their lone run in the bottom of the third inning.

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

Mason Richtig started the game on the mound for the Badgers. He pitched six innings, allowing one hit and striking out seven.

Blake Holmes, Richtig and Gavin Neuens each recorded one walk. Holmes also notched two stolen bases.

Logan Kurth got the win for the Cougars, striking out 19.

Niagara will welcome Kingsford to town at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team welcomed Jeffers to Ranger Field on Thursday. The Mountaineers lost 17-2. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)