CHEBOYGAN---First, it was the offense. Then, it was the heat in the circle.
The Escanaba High School softball team jumped to an early 7-0 lead and freshman Gabi Salo struck out eleven batters in four innings of pitching, as the Eskymos beat Petoskey, 8-2, in an MHSAA Division Two District tournament game on Tuesday.
Senior Katie Ross pitched the first three innings to set the table, and then Salo mixed her fastball with an effective change-up to win her first post-season game in the circle.
Ross allowed four hits and a walk, striking out two batters, against a Petoskey team that won 24 games during the regular season (24-9).
Ross also did a nice job at the plate, getting three hits in four at-bats. Sophomore Lexi Chaillier had a 3-for-4 day as well.
Salo did not walk a batter, allowing three hits in her four scoreless innings.
Escanaba (32-4) heads back to Cheboygan to face Sault Ste. Marie in the district semifinal. Game time is 12:30. The other semifinal pits Kingsford against Cheboygan.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos, videos taken by Mary Gauthier.
The Escanaba High School softball team jumped to an early 7-0 lead and freshman Gabi Salo struck out eleven batters in four innings of pitching, as the Eskymos beat Petoskey, 8-2, in an MHSAA Division Two District tournament game on Tuesday.
Ross allowed four hits and a walk, striking out two batters, against a Petoskey team that won 24 games during the regular season (24-9).
Ross also did a nice job at the plate, getting three hits in four at-bats. Sophomore Lexi Chaillier had a 3-for-4 day as well.
Salo did not walk a batter, allowing three hits in her four scoreless innings.
Escanaba (32-4) heads back to Cheboygan to face Sault Ste. Marie in the district semifinal. Game time is 12:30. The other semifinal pits Kingsford against Cheboygan.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos, videos taken by Mary Gauthier.
