Indians Use Big Innings To Get Jump On Cubs, 6-3
ESCANABA---The defending state champion Gladstone Indians used a pair of big innings to turn back the Escanaba Cubs, 6-3, in the opener of the American Legion Baseball Class A State Finals at Al Ness Field. Marquette turned back Hudson, 2-1 earlier in the day. The Indians had a chance in the top half of the first off Cubs starting pitcher Brandon Punzel. Indians center fielder Jake Peterson singled to start off the inning. Shortstop Ben Schwalbach reached on a fielder's choice. With one out, starting pitcher Justin Jurek roped a double into the right center field gap. Schwalbach tried scoring all the way from first and the relay throw was in time to tag Schwalbach out at the plate. Escanaba struck first in the bottom of the first inning off Gladstone starting pitcher Justin Jurek. Second baseman Parker LaMarch walked with one out and stole second off Gladstone catcher A.J Lundberg. Sean Bissell struck out and Punzel hit a two out RBI single to right center to score LaMarch from second. In the third, Escanaba scored another run to add to their lead. Center fielder Tyler Hardwick doubled to lead off the inning. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by catcher Sean Bissell. Gladstone took the lead with three runs in the top of the fourth. Back to back infield singles by Hunter Garling and Christian Tackman and a walk to Braden Lamberg loaded the bases with one out. First baseman Logan Hardwick came to the plate and drew a walk on a 3-2 count to score Gladstone's first run. Lundberg singled to left center scoring Tackman to tie the game at 2. Owen Hansen had an RBI groundout to take the lead for Gladstone. Gladstone added onto their lead in the fifth inning with three runs, putting the game out of reach for a down Escanaba team and taking Punzel out of the game as well. Schwalbach and Jurek walked to begin the inning for Gladstone and Justin Popelka came off the bench to pitch the final three innings for Escanaba as Punzel went to first base. Schwalbach scored from second on an RBI single for Garling and Jurek scored on a wild pitch. Lamberg also had a sacrifice fly in the inning scoring Garling. Escanaba tried to muster a comeback in the bottom of the inning, but couldn't come up with a big hit. Right fielder Lewis Ostrander singled to right to start off the inning for the Cubs. Popelka followed with a ground ball that went under the glove of Schwalbach at short to set up first and second with no outs. Hardwick came up to the plate and scored Ostrander from second on a single to left field and the score was 6-3. But second baseman Parker LaMarch popped up, Bissell flew out to right, and Punzel grounded out to end the inning. Winning pitcher for Gladstone was Justin Jurek who went seven innings giving up three earned runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two. Jurek didn't walk a Cubs batter after the first inning. Losing pitcher for Escanaba was Brandon Punzel who went four inning giving up six earned runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking four. Justin Popelka only gave up one hit in three innings of relief while striking out six Gladstone batters. Hunter Garling, Christian Tackman, and Jake Peterson all had two hits for Gladstone. Tyler Hardwick had two hits and an RBI for Escanaba. Gladstone plays Friday at noon against the Marquette Blues, that game will be broadcasted on AM (600) and on-line on rrnsports.com. Escanaba plays Friday at 3:00 against Hudson, that game will also be broadcasted on AM (600) and on-line at rrnsports.com. |