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Escanaba 9-10 Boys Advance, Beat Gladstone 12-2
 GLADSTONE --- The Escanaba 9-10 Boys Little League All-Star team faced the Gladstone All-Stars in the winners bracket of the District Ten Area tournament and won, 12-2, in five innings. Behind strong pitching performances from Tyler Lawson and Casey Bray, and a strong day at the plate by Lawson, it was all Esky needed to advance to the next round of the winner's bracket. Escanaba struck first in the bottom of the first after Trent Lawson struck out the side on the mound for Esky. He helped his cause, smacking a two RBI single to center field scoring shortstop Soyer Lamarch and third baseman Casey Bray. Gladstone tied the game in the second inning, as shortstop Brent Sanderson reached on an error, and was scored on a fielder's choice by Tyler Darmogray. Darmogray later scored on an RBI single by left fielder Brennan Detege with one out in the inning. Escanaba would score ten unanswered run with three runs in the second, two runs in the third, two runs in the fourth, and three runs in the fifth. In the second inning many wild pitches and walks accounted for the three runs for Escanaba. Second baseman Bon LaChance walked and later scored on a wild pitch. Left fielder Chase Cloutier also walked, and score on an RBI single by center fielder Rogan Gravelle. Gravelle later scored on a sacrifice fly by Lamarch to center field. In the third, catcher Gunner Bourdeau reached on an error and scored on a wild pitch. Substitute Ben Johnson walked and also scored on a wild pitch. In the fourth, Lamarch walked and scored on another RBI for Lawson after he singled. Lawson later scored on a single by first baseman Braden Martineau. The score was 9-2 and with darkness setting in things were getting dicey about the decision to end the game early or not and be continued the following day. But, Escanaba plated three runs and the mercy rule ended the game after the fifth. LaMarch led off the inning with a single to left. He stole second and got to third on a wild pitch and scored as Casey Bray reached on an error. Lawson then hit a short ground ball just in front of the plate. The catcher's throw was high over the first baseman's glove and Bray scored all the way from first and Lawson ran to third. Martineau ended the game with a single into right center field scoring Lawson. Trent Lawson had 3 RBI while going 2-3 at the plate. He went two and a third innings on the mound only giving up two runs (one earned) while striking out five. Casey Bray pitched two innings of relief giving up no runs and striking out five Gladstone batters. Escanaba plays Iron Mountain in the winner's bracket final at 7:00 Friday in Gladstone. Gladstone plays Tri County in a loser's bracket game at 6:00 Thursday in Gladstone. The winner plays Kingsford in a loser's bracket game at 5:00 Friday in Gladstone. WEDNESDAY'S OTHER 9-10 BOYS GAMES Tri-County outslugged Munising, 16-13. Kingsford eliminated Norway, 10-3. Portage Lake beat Ishpeming, 11-1. Penokee Range beat Negaunee, 15-12. |
