Popelka One-Hitter Leads Eskymos Past Kingsford

ESCANABA---Justin Popelka tossed a one-hit shutout Tuesday to lead the Escanaba Eskymos to a 3-0 win over the Kingsford Flivvers at Al Ness Field.

Escanaba scored all three runs in the second inning, and that was all Popelka needed as he allowed just one infield hit on a very close play at first base.

"I thought I had all of my pitches working today," Popelka said. "I was able to keep them off-balance, and that was the key to my success. The curveball was working. I thought it made a lot of them sit silly out there. It felt really good. Everything felt normal today."

And what about that one, single solitary base hit against him?

"Well, the one hit was a little controversial if you want my opinion," Popelka smiled. "But either way, I thought I threw a pretty good game, and the one hit doesn't mean a whole lot in the end."

After Popelka struck out the side in the top of the second inning, the Eskymos scored the game's only runs in the bottom of the inning.

With runners at first and second, C.J. Barron put down a sacrafic bunt, and on the play, the ball sailed past first base. That allowed Parker LaMarch to score.

Then, Cody Frappier hit a fly ball with two strikes on him and that was good enough to score Barron on a sacrafice fly.

On that play, the throw back to third was poor, and Popelka also scored.

That was the only offense the Eskymos could muster as they continu to struggle at the plate. But it was enough as Popelka continued to throw well.

"We needed the win," Popelka said. "We've been in a rough stretch lately down in Wisconsin with some blowouts games, and so coming back and getting a win here was big."

Escanaba improved to 5-7 on the season, and will host the Negaunee Miners Thursday afternoon at 5:00. It will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (NewsTalk 600) and www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and video highlights from Tuesday's game.