MARINETTE, Wis. -- The Escanaba Cubs dropped their first game of the 2015 Firecracker Tournament in Marinette to the host team, Marinette Legion, 5-3.

Marinette Legion took advantage of some control problems from the Cubs starting pitcher Brandon Punzel in the first inning.
 

Brandon Punzel threw six innings Friday.

Two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out for Marinette's center fielder Bailey Brix. He ripped a fastball into left center field for a two RBI double putting Marinette on the board.

Luke Johnson also had an RBI groundout in the inning to add to Marinette's lead 3-0.

So the Cubs were looking to answer in the bottom of the inning and did so after the Cubs second baseman Parker LaMarch singled and Punzel singled to set up first and second with two outs.

Left fielder Jack Valentine ripped a two RBI double into right center scoring both runners.

Marinette added a run in both the top of the third and in the sixth and they proved to be big insurance runs by the bottom of the seventh. Marinette's left fielder Aaron Schlies hit a solo home run to left center to add another run to their lead 4-2.
 

Parker LaMarch drives home Tyler Hardwick

In the top of the sixth inning the right fielder Matt Osterberg led off the inning with a single. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a fielder's choice. With one out the Marinette shortstop Jonte Webb hit a ground ball that scored the fifth run for Marinette.

This set up a 5-2 lead for Marinette going into the seventh and the Cubs were looking for the last inning magic that they had against Menominee on Wednesday.
 

Esky's Bailey Lamb catches infield pop fly

Center fielder Tyler Hardwick hit a leadoff double to left center field to lead off the inning, and Parker LaMarch scored him from second with an RBI single.

The Marinette manager went out to talk to the pitcher Alex Gressel and decided to leave him in with a reliever warmed up on the bench.

With no outs and a runner on first base, relief pitcher Tyler Skufca grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that halted Escanaba's threat.

Punzel grounded out to end the game.

Punzel took the loss on the mound throwing six innings, giving up five earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out three. Skufca pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Alex Gressel got the win on the mound pitching all seven innings giving up three earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out one.

The Cubs next games for the tournament are Saturday at 12:00 Eastern Time against Green Bay and 6:30 Eastern Time against Watertown. The games will be broadcasted live on WCHT-AM (600) and, on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos taken by Sheila Olsen.
 

Marinette catcher Luke Johnson picks up the bat for Escanaba's Alec Slaga during Friday night's game.