ESCANABA---The Escanaba Senior Little League All-Stars (age 15-16) had to sweat a little more than most people would have predicted Tuesday night at Lemmerand Park, and it wasn't because of the hot, humid weather that rolled into the Upper Peninsula.
The Esky girls, with several players who were on last year's Junior Softball World Series qualifying team, had to battle hard before beating Kingsford, 2-1, to win the District Ten championship. Escanaba scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning, and as a result, won the district title and will host the state tournament.
Tuesday's game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Escanaba got singles from Mackenzie Leisner and Becca Piron. Jaymie Frappier put down a bunt, and Sam Connor's ground ball gave Escanaba the first run of the game.
But in the top of the seventh inning, with two out, Kingsford's Molly Mehneguzzo got a clutch base hit down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1.
Escanaba scored the winning run when Sam Sailer's swinging bunt was thrown away with two girls on base. Connor pitched the first four innings, giving up four hits along the way. Frappier threw the final three innings, allowing one run on three hits.
Emily Murdock threw well in defeat for Kingsford, allowing only one earned run.
Escanaba hosts the Senior League State Tournament this weekend. It is a six-team event, starting with Opening Ceremonies Saturday at 12:45 and a banquet at 6:00 Saturday night.
All six teams will face each other in a round-robin format. Escanaba will play twice on Saturday (at 11:00 and 1:30) and on Sunday (at 11:00 and 1:00). WCHT-AM (600) plans extensive coverage of the Escanaba girls throughout the tournament. We will post more details on the tournament and the radio coverage Wednesday night.
ESCANABA 9/10 GIRLS WIN AGAIN---The Escanaba Minor Girls All-Stars (age 9-10) won a district tournament game for the second straight night Tuesday, beating Gladstone, 7-3, at Lemmerand Park. Escanaba pitcher Nicole Kamin allowed only one base hit, and she struck out 16 of the 18 outs that were recorded in the game. Escanaba advances to the district championship game Thursday, while Gladstone plays Kingsford Wednesday night. Both will be covered on the radio by WCHT-AM (600)'s Ron Plum.
The Esky girls, with several players who were on last year's Junior Softball World Series qualifying team, had to battle hard before beating Kingsford, 2-1, to win the District Ten championship. Escanaba scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning, and as a result, won the district title and will host the state tournament.
Tuesday's game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Escanaba got singles from Mackenzie Leisner and Becca Piron. Jaymie Frappier put down a bunt, and Sam Connor's ground ball gave Escanaba the first run of the game.
But in the top of the seventh inning, with two out, Kingsford's Molly Mehneguzzo got a clutch base hit down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1.
Escanaba scored the winning run when Sam Sailer's swinging bunt was thrown away with two girls on base. Connor pitched the first four innings, giving up four hits along the way. Frappier threw the final three innings, allowing one run on three hits.
Emily Murdock threw well in defeat for Kingsford, allowing only one earned run.
Escanaba hosts the Senior League State Tournament this weekend. It is a six-team event, starting with Opening Ceremonies Saturday at 12:45 and a banquet at 6:00 Saturday night.
All six teams will face each other in a round-robin format. Escanaba will play twice on Saturday (at 11:00 and 1:30) and on Sunday (at 11:00 and 1:00). WCHT-AM (600) plans extensive coverage of the Escanaba girls throughout the tournament. We will post more details on the tournament and the radio coverage Wednesday night.
ESCANABA 9/10 GIRLS WIN AGAIN---The Escanaba Minor Girls All-Stars (age 9-10) won a district tournament game for the second straight night Tuesday, beating Gladstone, 7-3, at Lemmerand Park. Escanaba pitcher Nicole Kamin allowed only one base hit, and she struck out 16 of the 18 outs that were recorded in the game. Escanaba advances to the district championship game Thursday, while Gladstone plays Kingsford Wednesday night. Both will be covered on the radio by WCHT-AM (600)'s Ron Plum.
