Delta County Juniors Crush Kingsford In Opener
NORWAY----All spring long, they've been known as the Escanaba Bears. But now the ten boys who made up that travel team were wearing Little League unforms as the Junior Baseball district tournament began at Norway's Marion Park. The mixture of Escanaba and Gladstone boys make up the Delta County All-Stars, and they got off to a good start on Saturday by beating Kingsford, 13-2.
Delta County's Hunter Garling and Kingsford catcher Anthony Rebera.
"That's why he's batting fourth in the line-up," Delta County Manager Tony Punzel said. "He's been hitting the ball well all season long for us." "It was a two-seamer," the not-so-talkative Garling said after the game. "I was just trying to make sure that I didn't strike out." Well, he certainly didn't, and he helped to end a game that had already stretched past the two hour mark thanks in part to Little League Baseball's pitch count rule. The only way to pitch on one day and be eligible to throw the next is to throw 20 or fewer pitches. And so that led Punzel, as well as Kingsford's coach, to bring in boys for cameo appearances on the mound once the starting pitcher is done for the day. Punzel says it's a difference for the boys, who have different rules to follow while playing travel ball. "That pitch count is really tough on coaches," Punzel said. "And the kids are really conscious of staying under 20 pitches so they can pitch tomorrow, so it kind of changes how they think of the game."
Delta County pitcher Brandon Punzel.
Punzel removed Popelka with one out in the third inning. "He's been pitching well and pitching strong for us," Punzel said. "But he just couldn't find the strike zone out of the gates. It took a little while for us to get going." That led to a parade of pitchers that saw Garling, Brandon Punzel, and Jake Peterson go to the hill. And if Garling had not ended the game on the grand slam in the bottom of the fifth, Coach Punzel was prepared to throw another couple of guys. A turning point came in that third inning when Kingsford led, 2-0, and had runners at the corners. A baserunning mistake was costly as Linn was thrown out at the plate, and then catcher Sean Bissell fired to third base to retire Brady Hicks. Then came the bottom of the third inning, which became a nightmare for Kingsford and its pitcher, Kowalkowski. He had been cruising on just 30 pitches in the first two innings, but Delta County scored eight times in that third inning as Kowalkowski threw an unvelieveable 56 pitches trying to get those three outs.
Kingsford's Owen Pretcher with the stretch.
It was 8-2 going to the fourth inning, and the game was pretty much over from there. It was just a matter of how long it would take, and how many boys would have to pitch. Kingsford ended up with six hits, with Linn getting two doubles. Delta County had nine hits, with Logan Lamb getting two doubles and Garling getting three total base hits. NORWAY 6, IRON MOUNTAIN NORTH 1---This game was tied at 1-1 until Norway scored five runs in the seventh inning to win it. Iron Mountain ace Brock Grenier reached his pitch count after five innings, and the bullpen couldn't hold down the experienced Norway batters. Joe Murvich had the big two-run double in the seventh inning when the game was still tied at 1-1. Dawson Bilski, John Edwardsen, and Hunter Kaldor all pitched for Norway. Click the above thumbnails to see pictures and videos from the Delta County vs Kingsford game, taken by Jane Lamb! NEXT IN THE TOURNAMENT---There will be three games in this tournament on Sunday at Marion Park. The first will be an elimination game between Kingsford and Iron Mountain at 11:00 CT (noon ET). Then, Delta County plays Norway at 1:00 CT (2:00 ET), with the winner advancing to the district championship game. Whoever loses that game will have to play again at 3:00 CT (4:00 ET). Games involving Delta County will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. ---MORE--- |