MARQUETTE----The Escanaba Eskymos scored three runs in the first inning and cruised to an 11-2 win over the Marquette Redmen Wednesday night at Haley Field.
The Eskymos sat the nine boys who play most of the games, instead fielding a team of mostly freshmen, sophomores, and others who don't usually see much playing time.
"The young kids got some time and experience, and that's all going to help in the long run," Eskymo Manager Kirk Schwalbach said. "So I'm really happy for the boys. They played well. When you win 11-2, it's hard to be criticial of a bunch of freshmen and sophomores getting an opportunity to play. We got our 'W'."
The Eskymos got a two-run single from Logan Lamb and an RBI fly ball from Lewis Ostrander to grab the early lead for sophomore pitcher Alec Slaga.
In the bottom of the inning, Marquette threatened when Slaga gave up base hits to Jake Olson, Trevor Koski, and Brenden Higbie. But with the bases loaded and two out, Slaga struck out Jake Phillips to end the threat. Marquette got just two more hits off of Slaga.
Escanaba added to its 3-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run single by Slaga and a fielder's choice ground ball by Andrew Sedlar.
Then, in the fifth inning, the Eskymos scored four more times to take a 10-0 lead.
Three of those runs scored when Tyler Skufca hit one up the gap that was chased down by Marquette's center fielder Jake Olson.
But Olson couldn't hang onto the ball, and the bases were cleared. Freshman Hunter LaMarch hit a "seeing-eye" base hit up the middle to plate Escanaba's tenth run.
The Eskymos were in position for a mercy-rule win, but the defense fell apart in the bottom of the inning. Pinch-hitter Scott Trip was safe on an error to start the inning, then pinch-hitter Steve Snow drew a walk. With one out, Olson got a base hit to plate one run, and an error on the throw-back moved the runners up.
Gabe Apple's RBI groundout scored the second run, and the game continued into the sixth inning. Slaga hit a sacrafice fly to bring in Escanaba's eleventh run, but Marquette's relief pitcher (Apple) got out of that inning, and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.
The fact that the game did not end on the mercy rule allowed Sedlar to get some time on the mound. Sedlar gave up one hit and one walk over the final two innings, but no runs.
"God wanted Sedlar to get an inning tonight, so we got him an inning," said Schwalbach with a smile, noting that Sedlar is a religious young man.
Meanwhile, Slaga threw five innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits, to earn the pitching win. Slaga struck out six batters and walked only two.
The defensive play of the game came in the third inning, when Apple hit a long shot toward the 400-foot sign in center field. As he rounded second, Rodman, who was playing right field, got the ball and threw a strike to Skufca for the out at second base.
"Me an Lewis (Ostrander, center fielder) were both going for it," Rodman said. "As soon as I saw the ball, Lewis helped me with it and told me that he was just rounding first base. I have to thank Lewis on that one. As soon as I turned around, he (Apple) was nowhere near the base."
Offensively, junior Devin Olsen had three hits while Rodman had two.
Escanaba (10-2) returns home on Thursday to face the Gladstone Braves. Game time is 6:00 at Al Ness Field. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. The pre-game show will start at about 5:45.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see pictures taken by Sheila Olsen, and listen to audio replays and interviews.
The Eskymos sat the nine boys who play most of the games, instead fielding a team of mostly freshmen, sophomores, and others who don't usually see much playing time.
"The young kids got some time and experience, and that's all going to help in the long run," Eskymo Manager Kirk Schwalbach said. "So I'm really happy for the boys. They played well. When you win 11-2, it's hard to be criticial of a bunch of freshmen and sophomores getting an opportunity to play. We got our 'W'."
Freshman Hunter LaMarch gets the start at catcher for the Eskymos Wednesday.
In the bottom of the inning, Marquette threatened when Slaga gave up base hits to Jake Olson, Trevor Koski, and Brenden Higbie. But with the bases loaded and two out, Slaga struck out Jake Phillips to end the threat. Marquette got just two more hits off of Slaga.
Escanaba added to its 3-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run single by Slaga and a fielder's choice ground ball by Andrew Sedlar.
Then, in the fifth inning, the Eskymos scored four more times to take a 10-0 lead.
Three of those runs scored when Tyler Skufca hit one up the gap that was chased down by Marquette's center fielder Jake Olson.
But Olson couldn't hang onto the ball, and the bases were cleared. Freshman Hunter LaMarch hit a "seeing-eye" base hit up the middle to plate Escanaba's tenth run.
Esky sophomore Jake Rodman had two hits.
Gabe Apple's RBI groundout scored the second run, and the game continued into the sixth inning. Slaga hit a sacrafice fly to bring in Escanaba's eleventh run, but Marquette's relief pitcher (Apple) got out of that inning, and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.
The fact that the game did not end on the mercy rule allowed Sedlar to get some time on the mound. Sedlar gave up one hit and one walk over the final two innings, but no runs.
Logan Lamb 2-run single in first inning.
Meanwhile, Slaga threw five innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits, to earn the pitching win. Slaga struck out six batters and walked only two.
Eskymo sophomore Alec Slaga got the win.
"Me an Lewis (Ostrander, center fielder) were both going for it," Rodman said. "As soon as I saw the ball, Lewis helped me with it and told me that he was just rounding first base. I have to thank Lewis on that one. As soon as I turned around, he (Apple) was nowhere near the base."
Offensively, junior Devin Olsen had three hits while Rodman had two.
Escanaba (10-2) returns home on Thursday to face the Gladstone Braves. Game time is 6:00 at Al Ness Field. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. The pre-game show will start at about 5:45.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see pictures taken by Sheila Olsen, and listen to audio replays and interviews.
