HOME OPENING WIN: Eskymos Get By Kingsford

ESCANABA---Austin Willette hit a two-run homer and Jake Anderson added a three-run double as the Escanaba High School baseball team won its home-opener on Tuesday, 16-8, over the Kingsford Flivvers. Grant LaMarche had four runs batted with a single and three groundouts as the Eskymos won their first-ever Great Northern Conference game.

It was a typical early-season games with sloppy defensive play and lots of walks, but it also included some clutch hitting with men and scoring position.

The Flivvers scored three runs in the top of the first inning before the Eskymos got three in the bottom of the inning, two of them on Willette's home run to right field.

Kingsford took a 5-3 lead in the top of the second inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Luke Terrian and Noah Wilcox, both with two out. But in the bottom of the inning, Escanaba took the lead on an RBI single by LaMarche and a two-run, bases loaded single by Josh Bruntjens, with two outs and two strikes on him.

It looked like the Flivvers would take the leadin the fourth inning when Terrian was safe on an error and Wilcox smoked a double to put runners on second and third. Jesse Julian hit a long drive toward the left field corner, but Jake LaFave raced over toward the line and made a lunging catch over his shoulder. The catch came after LaFave had been hit by a pitch in the first inning and was replaced for an inning and an at-bat.

Escanaba put the game away with seven runs in the fifth inning, with Anderson's bases-clearing hit being the highlight. The Eskymos were one run short of the ten-run mercy rule at 14-5, so the Flivvers came to bat in the top of the sixth inning.

With two men on base, Wilcox hit a shot deep to left field. LaFave's adventerous say continued as he went back to the fence and got his foot stuck in the bottom of the fence, turning his ankle.

As he fell in pain,Wilcox circled the bases for what turned out to be a three-run, inside-the-park home run.

Wilcox ended up 4-for-4 with five runs batted in.

Jared Hanson threw five innings to earn the win, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits. He walked five and struck out five. Hunter Lancour threw the final two innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked none.

Terrian took the loss for Kingsford. He wentb 3 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs on sux hits, and five walks. Ben Stansish and Nathan Bosley finished up.

Escanaba (4-4) hosts Negaunee in a doubleheader on Thursday. The games will be broadcast live on NewsTalk 600 and on-0nline at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and video clips taken by Riley Lamb. Also hear post-game comments from Willette and Anderson.