MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Eskymo Season Ends, 2-1

CHEBOYGAN---It was a microcosm of the entire baseball season for the Escanaba Eskymos on Tuesday as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Petoskey Northmen in the MHSAA Division Two district tournament opener in Cheboygan.

So close, yet so far away.

Justin Popelka pitched well again, but he got no run support as the Eskymos stranded ten base runners and struck out 13 times against two Petoskey pitchers.

"The seniors are taking it hard right now," Escanaba Manager Kirk Schwalbach said. "It's been our demise all year. We really struggled getting that big hit when we really needed it. Tonight was the same thing."

"The (Joel) Wilson kid is a good pitcher. He changes speeds really well," Schwalbach continued. "He had a nice change-up. But we couldn't put together good at-bats against him. We had our opportunities. The boys are taking it hard, but it's a life lesson."

Escanaba took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Jake Anderson hit a two-out double to right field and Craig Kamin followed with a single to center field.

Time and time again, the Eskymos had traffic on the bases but couldn't bring anyone else home. In the third inning, Popelka and Cody Frappier had back-to-back singles with two out, but Johnny Schlenvogt grounded out to end the scoring threat.

In the fourth inning, Petoskey tied the game with some small ball. Lucas Muller led off with a single and was bunted to second by Ty Sobczak. Then Evan Koetje put down a bunt single up the third base line to put runners at the corners.

On the next play, Popelka's pick-off throw to first base was in the dirt and it got away, scoring the tying run from third base.

Escanaba had a chance in the fifth inning when Parker LaMarch was safe on an error with one out, and C.J. Barron bunted him to second. They intentionally walked Popelka to set up a force at third, and didn't need it as Wilson struck out Frappier.

In the sixth inning, with two out, Anderson got his second base hit of the game, and Craig Kamin was safe on an error. That was it for Wilson, who reached his 105-pitch allowance.

Petoskey Reliever Sobczak struck out Josh Bruntjens to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh inning, Popelka walked pinch hitter Josh Longcore and then had to leave as he also reached the 105-pitch limit. That brought Schlenvogt on to pitch, and he struggled to find the strike zone after a bunt moved Longcore to second.

Janssen Byers came through with the RBI hit to bring Longcore home.

Schlenvogt gave up another hit and walk, but got out of the bases-loaded jam.

Escanaba had one more chance in the seventh inning when LaMarch led off with a walk. But Barron flew out, Popelka popped up, and Frappier struck out. Season over.

"The sun comes up tomorrow," Schwalbach said. "That may not give them any comfort right now, but it's been a great year. I've loved all three of my seniors (LaMarch, Barron, and Popelka)."

"It's a great group of kids."

Petoskey (15-13-1) faces Sault Ste. Marie in the district semifinals on Saturday.

Escanaba finishes its season with an 18-15 record.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos taken by Mike Dagenais; hear the interview with Schwalbach.