Escanaba Girls Dominate Central Regional Opener

ELGIN, Ill.---The Escanaba Big League Girls (age 17-18) swept a pair of Central Regional Tournament games Friday night, beating the host Elgin, Ill., team, 21-1, and then topping Millard Omaha (Neb.), 18-0. Both games ended on the five-inning mercy rule.

But as much as the girls were happy with their two dominating wins here, they already had their sights set on Saturday's game against Indiana District Eleven from South Bend.

Those are the girls that many of these Escanaba girls beat in last year's Senior League championship, breaking the Indiana team's eight-year reign and sending Escanaba to the World Series in Delaware.

Saturday morning, the rematch will be held.

"They're the main reason why we're here," Escanaba Manager Andy Fields said. "We know they're going to be here and will be great competition, and they're well-coached. That's why we're here, to play good teams. We'll see what happens."

"I think that we're both going to be ready and it's going to be a good game," said Escanaba center fielder Emily Bruntjens, who was the hero of that upset win over South Bend last summer. "Hopefully, if we play like we did tonight, we'll have the same result."

"They weren't too happy when they saw us walk in," said Escanaba second baseman Clair McInerney, who had the walk-off hit in South Bend last year. "It happens."

In Friday's game against the host Illinois District 13 team, Taylor Gauthier smacked a three-run homer in the first inning to help Escanaba take a 4-0 lead. Then, in the second inning, Escanaba sent 20 batters to the plate and scored 17 runs.

There were numerous Illinois errors, and the Escanaba girls all hit the ball, with Bruntjens and Jerrika McAlpine leading the way at the top of the order with their speed...and Taylor Segorski, Katie Ross, and Gauthier clubbing the ball.

Ross pitched the first two innings and Cassi Wisler threw the final three innings as Escanaba won the game on the mercy rule, intentionally making several outs by leaving a base early.

Bruntjens had two hits, two walks, two runs batted in, and scored three times. McAlpine had three hits, with two of them on the infield. Ross had a pair of doubles, including one that brought in two runs.

Segorski and Aubree Saunders each had two-run base hits.

In Friday's late game against Nebraska, McInerney highlighted the rout with a two-run homer, after ripping several foul balls deep to left field. She also had a single and a double.

"It felt good," McInerney said. "I think we did good, hitting in this heat that we're not used to. I thought we played pretty well, getting well for tomorrow."

Bruntjens had four hits in five at-bats against Nebraska, while Ross added a double and a single. Ross pitched all five innings, allowing one hit and striking out nine batters.

Saturday's game between Escanaba and South Bend starts at 11:00 ET. It will be broadcast live on WGKL-FM (105.5) and on www.wgklradio.com starting at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos taken by Mary Gauthier, and to listen to player interviews.