Indians Win in Delta County Duel Against Cubs 5-2

GLADSTONE---The Gladstone Indians played a complete baseball game on Thursday night as they beat the Escanaba Cubs 5-2.

The Cubs were held to only three hits, while Gladstone had nine.

The biggest play of the game happened in the top of the first inning when center fielder Dave Falish singled up the middle to lead off.

Catcher Sean Bissell was hit by a pitch and Brandon Punzel walked to load up the bases.

The Cubs' best hitter, Nick Vandermissen came up to the plate, and with a 2-0 count, he ripped a shot to second base that looked like it would get through to the outfield.

But Gladstone second basemen Ben Schwalbach took two steps to his left, snagged the ball on a bounce and with his momentum carrying him to the first base side, spun around and turned a 4-6-3 double play with shortstop Jake Pearson throwing to first basemen Hayden Hardwick.

"We had a scoring opportunity in the first and Nick hits a laser, but the kid made a nice play on him," Cubs Manager Tom Ohman said.

Ben Schwalbach Key Double Play

Escanaba scored a run, but that was a play that completely changed the game for both teams.

"If that ball gets into right field, they're sitting 2-0, with two still guys on and nobody out," Indians Manager Jim Groleau said. "I don't know how Shuby (Schwalbach) got there, but he picked it and made a beautiful turn to second and got us rolling."

Gladstone then took the lead in the bottom of the second as third basemen Tommy Bailey grounded out to the shortstop to start the inning.

Center fielder Christian Groleau walked and stole second to set up a scoring opportunity with one out.

Schwalbach walked to follow, and with first and second and one out, catcher Logan Heim had an RBI single to right field to score Groleau.

Then with two outs in the inning, Jake Peterson was hit by a pitch from Skufca to load the bases.

The high school All-state utility player Hunter Garling came up and hit a huge two out two RBI double to score Schwalbach and Heim, giving the Indians a 3-1 lead.

"He threw me a fastball right down the middle, and I just got the bat around and hit it," Garling said.

Escanaba Manager Tom Ohman comments

The Cubs got one of those runs back in the third when Devin Olsen walked to lead off the inning.

Falish bunted Olsen over and with two outs in the inning, Punzel hit a pitch into left field that looked like Olsen wasn't going to score on.

But, as Olsen was being held at third, the throw from Peterson in left to the plate was air mailed and Olsen scored to cut the Indians lead at 3-2.

The Indians got two more runs in the bottom of the fourth off of Cubs pitcher Andrew Sedlar when Schwalbach singled to lead off the inning, then after the next two batters were retired

Peterson doubled to left center to set up another two out scoring opportunity for Garling.

"They have a stacked lineup so we just have to deal with it," Ohman said.

And Garling didn't disappoint as he ripped another two RBI hit to score Peterson and Schwalbach.

The Cubs only had one baserunner between the fourth fifth and sixth innings, as Indians pitcher Christian Tackman was allowed to go one more inning by manager Jim Groleau.

Hunter Garling drives home two runs

"He was only going to go four (innings) tonight no matter what but after four innings he's (Tackman) only thrown 40 pitches, so we forced him to go another one," Groleau said, joking about the "forced" part of the situation.

The Cubs and the Indians both went down one two three in the sixth inning.

Indians pitcher Jake Pearson came into pitch for Tackman in the sixth as Cubs pitcher Lewis Ostrander came in to pitch for Sedlar in the fifth, but the Indians win wasn't celebrated without some excitement in the seventh.

Escanaba loaded the bases with one out in the seventh inning, as Pearson had some control problems allowing two walks in the inning.

Falish came up to the plate but struck out looking on a beautiful curveball by Pearson.

"Jake made a big pitch with the bases loaded and one out and to come out of it is big, Groleau said.

Bissell then came up with two outs and grounded out to the pitcher Pearson to end the threat.

The losing pitcher for the Cubs was Tyler Skufca, he pitched the first two innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on two walks. The winning pitcher for Gladstone was Christian Tackman who pitched five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on only two hits.

For the Indians, Garling went 2-for-4 at the plate with four runs batted in. Groleau went 1-for-2 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Schwalbach scored two runs going 1-2.

LaMarch, Vandermissen, Lamb Turn Double Play

For the Cubs, Falish got on base twice scoring the first run of the game. Olsen walked twice and scored a run.

Escanaba hosts Niagara, Wis., Monday night, at 8:00.

Gladstone resumes play with a doubleheader at home on Sunday against Kingsford. The twinbill starts at 1:00 and will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600).

ESCANABA WINS JV GAME---In the first game of the doubleheader, the Junior Cubs defeated the Junior Indians 9-5. C.J Barron and Tyler Willette both had three hits for the Junior Cubs. Gavin Peacock and Parker LaMarch also had two RBI apiece. For the Indians, Owen Hansen had three hits (one a double) and scored two runs. Jake Wachholz got on base in all three of his at bats. Noah Olsen also had a double.

Click the thumbnail in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos, videos, and audio highlights from Thursday's game. Story written and statistics compiled by RRN Intern Trent Schwalbach.