Escanaba Softball Season Ends Again In State Semis

EAST LANSING---The Richmond Blue Devils scored four runs in the third inning and that was enough to beat the Escanaba Eskymos, 4-2, in the MHSAA Division Two state semifinals Thursday at Michigan State University.

It marked the second straight season that the Eskymo season ended with a loss to Richmond in the state semifinals, after also losing, 6-2, last June at MSU.

"If we played them ten games, we'd probably each win five," Escanaba Manager Jamie Segorski said. "I said it earlier today that whatever team ran into a couple of balls would probably win. It is what it is. I knew it was gonna be close."

"They have us, 2-0. Maybe next year, we can come back and beat them," Segorski continued. "They're just so well-coached. That's just a solid, solid team. They're a good team ans we're a good team. I had to say goodbye to six seniors today, and that's hard."

"I'm devastated," Eskymo senior third baseman Aubree Saunders said. "But at the same time, I'm really proud of our team and us six seniors. We've come a long way, and we've had a lot of success throughout the years. We tried hard to get the 'W', but, you know, sometimes things don't happen the way we want them to. "

The fateful third inning started when, with one out, Katie Ross got ahead of #9 hitter Kennedy Caperton, 1-2, but lost her on a walk. The next hitter, Carley Barjaktarovich, put down a bunt. First baseman Savannah Barron fielded it, but her throw to second baseman Claire McInerney (covering first), hit the runner in the back.

That put runners at second and third, and then #2 hitter Amy Thueme, also bunted. Ross fielded it, checked the runner coming down the line from third, looked to first, and then threw to the plate, late. The run gave Richmond a 1-0 lead.

"She was halfway down the line, at best," Segorski said. "We had her. Just a little hesitation."

Ross bounced back to strike out Erin Shuboy for the second out, then Segorski chose to intentionally walk #4 hitter Emma Caperton to load the bases. The next batter, Evelyn Swantek, smoked one to the fence in right-center.

Down 4-0, Escanaba didn't give up. In the top of the fifth inning, Shuboy, who pitched a perfect game for Richmond in last year's state championship game, became very frustrated with the strike zone. She walked Saunders and Maddy Griffin, and gave up a single to McInerney in the #9 hole. That loaded the bases with just one out.

Emily Bruntjens, who bunted nicely in the second inning but was called out when the ball hit her bat in fair territory, grounded into a force play this time. That scored a run from third base, and then Lexi Chaillier came through with an RBI single.

With two runners on, Ross drew a walk to load the bases. The tying run was in scoring position, but Taylor Gauthier popped up to end the inning.

Gabi Salo replaced Ross in the circle after three innings, and she shut Richmond down over the next three innings, allowing just two base hits. That kept the Eskymos in the game, giving them a chance to rally. And they had their opportunities.

In the sixth inning, Taylor Segorski ripped a single and Griffin drew a walk. With the tying runs on base, McInermey struck out swinging, leaving two more aboard.

And then in the final inning, Ross hit a pop fly single down the left field line, bringing up Gauthier, who pounded out a record number of home runs during the regular season.

Gauthier lifted a long fly ball to right field, but it was caught, ending the game.

"We kept working hard," Coach Segorski said. "It just wasn't enough. Too little, too late."

Escanaba finishes its season 37-5, while Richmond improved to 34-4 and will play unranked Ida in the Division Two state championship game on Saturday.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Mary Gauthier, and videos taken by Mike Dagenais. You can also hear post-game interviews with Segorski and Saunders, and pre-game interviews with Malary Hiney and Gabi Salo.