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Esky Cubs Blank Gladstone Indians To Sweep Series
 GLADSTONE --- The Escanaba Cubs beat the Gladstone Indians Thursday, 5-0, in the second game of the regular season series at Don Olsen Field. Gladstone had plenty of chances to score runs throughout the game but couldn't cash in, as Escanaba won behind a strong pitching performance by Justin Popelka.  Popelka and Gladstone's Justin Jurek were both battling through control problems through various innings, and it was a back and forth affair. Gladstone's best chance came in the fifth inning though as center fielder Jake Peterson led the inning off with a single to center. Jurek followed with a big one out double to left center to set up second and third with one out. Gladstone's catcher and third hitter Hunter Garling hit a hard ground ball to Cubs third baseman C.J Barron, who caught Peterson leaning a little too far off third base. It was a race to the bag and Peterson was called safe by the infield umpire. The Cubs appealed to the home plate umpire, and he called Peterson out on the tag. Third baseman Christian Tackman then struck out to end the threat.  Barron singled with one out to start the inning and designated hitter Logan Lamb followed with a big double to right center to set up second and third. Right fielder Lewis Ostrander (pictured) followed with a walk, and center fielder Tyler Hardwick singled home Barron from third to put the Cubs on the board. Second baseman Parker LaMarch followed with a clutch two RBI single and first baseman Brandon Punzel also had a two RBI single with the infield in to put the Cubs up 5-0. Alec Slaga came on to relieve Popelka for two scoreless innings on the mound. The losing pitcher was Schwalbach, who went a third of an inning giving up five runs (all earned) on four hits while walking two Cubs batters. The winning pitcher was Popelka, who went five innings giving up no runs on four hits, he struck out seven and walked three. Hunter Garling had two hits for the Indians, while Parker LaMarch had two hits and two RBI and Punzel had two RBI. In the Junior Game, Gladstone topped Escanaba, 13-3, in six innings. Click the above thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box for photos from Thursday's game, taken by Lori Jurek.  |
