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NORSE FORCE? Marquette Powers Past Gladstone
 Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos taken by Jayger Quinn.
Easton Miller, who played second base at Bay in the spring, smacked a single, double, and home run, to lead Marquette to a 10-4 win over Gladstone in his return to Delta County at Gladstone's Don Olsen Field.
Blues center fielder Logan Peterson, also a Norse outfielder, had a lead-off single, stolen base, and scored a run in the first inning as Marquette raced to a 6-0 lead before Gladstone even came to bat. And once the Indians did get to the plate, Aedan Creten, who played first base for the Norse, clubbed a two-run homer to right field.
And, the home plate umpire? You guessed it, Norse Head Coach Mike Pankow.
The only piece of this puzzle that was missing was Gladstone's best player, Tyler Darmogray. He did play in this Norse reunion because he hurt his shoulder in a game Saturday in Marinette. Darmogray's status is day-to-day, depending on his healing.
“I think it was an all-around good team win,” Miller said. “We had clean defense. The bats were active all game. We got a big lead early, and we've just got to keep that going.”
And what about his recent hot hitting, which included a laser of a home run at a tournament on the campus of Central Michigan University two weeks ago?
“I think, definitely, just trying to go with the pitch, and not trying to make something out of nothing,” Miller said. “Taking the walks when they're given, and just going with the ball when it's given to me.”
And then it was Creten's turn, after being left waiting in the on-deck circle when his Gladstone teammates hit into a bases-loaded double play, Creten slugged a two-run shot to match his buddy in the home run department.
“I had to somewhat one-up my teammate,” Creten laughed. “But, no, I think it was a fastball. I didn't really pay attention. I thought he (right fielder Jack Siik) was going to catch it, but then it went over. Between here and Bay, I was kind of gulfing at the ball and wasn't really working on my swing. I was not hitting the ball. So, I put in some work, and now I am getting some contact, so it feels good.”
“I knew it was something that was probably going to happen tonight,” Miller said. “There's usually a chance, especially here in Gladstone. Aedan has a good swing, and when he hit that first one out to center (which was caught), I knew he was probably going to get into one. It was just a matter of when.”
Marquette scored six runs on six base hits in the first inning, battering Indians starting pitcher Isaac Ketchum, who was only able to retire two batters out of the nine that he faced. Isaiah Brow relieved Ketchum and did a decent job, throwing six long innings of relief, allowing four runs (only two of them earned).
One of the runs Brow gave up came in the second inning: a long home run by Miller over the left field fence, making it a 7-0 game.
“My guys were fresh and they were ready,” Marquette Coach Mark Pantti said. “We came out hot. We have a tendency to come out really hot, and then just kind of slow it down. As the season progresses, we have to find a way to kind of keep that throttle down.”
Marquette starting pitcher Isaac Sarles retired the first six men he faced before giving up four hits in the third inning, the last of which off the bat of Cooper Sanville brought in Gladstone's first run. But with Creten on deck, Austin Pepin hit one right back to Sarles, and Sarles turned a 1-2-3 double play to end the scoring threat.
In the sixth inning, Miller smoked a double to the fence to bring in Post 44's eighth run, although the big guy was thrown out trying to stretch that into a triple.
Then, it was Creten's turn, as he crushed one over the right field fence for a two-run homer, as Marquette outfielder Jack Siik hurt himself crashing into the fence while trying to track down that bomb. Creten's hit brought Gladstone to within 8-3.
Siik had to leave the game after he crashed into the fence.
“He's good,” Pantti said. “His knee is a little bit sore. He's like his dad. His dad (Jason Siik) coaches in Negaunee and does so phenomenal. He gets those guys to give everything they've got, and that's what Jack does for us. He's been playing both Blues and Reds for us. That's what Jack is like, too. Gives everything. A few days rest, and he'll be ready to rock.”
Ketchum would deliver an RBI double later that inning to bring the Indians to within 8-4, before Marquette scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Sarles pitched six innings to earn the win, allowing four runs on eight hits. Braiden Noskey threw a scoreless seventh inning, giving up one base hit.
Ketchum took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits in two-thirds of an inning. Brow was charged with four runs (two earned) on six hits.
Marquette also got three hits from Gibby Jezewski, Sarles contributed two hits, and Nick Pantti had a single and a pair of walks. Marquette did not make a defensive error all night long.
The Post 44 Blues improved to 9-7 on the season, and played just their fifth game of the season against an Upper Peninsula team. Marquette has played mostly at far-away tournaments, in Fond du Lac, Waupun, and Mt. Pleasant so far this summer.
Gladstone, coming off a brutal weekend of four games in Marinette, with three of them early in the day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, fell to 6-5 on the season.
Marquette will celebrate the past of the Blues program with its annual Alumi game and Hall of Fame ceremony Wednesday night at Haley Field. It will start at 6:00. Before that, the Blues will travel to Hancock to face the Copper Country Flames on Tuesday.
Gladstone has a big night on Wednesday as well. The Indians will host the Escanaba Cubs in the annual Christian Groleau Memorial night, honoring the former Indian player who was lost to suicide. A scholarship will be handed out to a current Indians player, and a ceremony will be held between the JV and varsity games Wednesday night.
We will broadcast both the junior Legion, and senior Legion games, plus the ceremony in between games, live, starting at 5:00 on Wednesday. Tune in on FM-93.5, AM-600, and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. |
