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Cubs, Indians Fall After Making Tourney Semifinals
 SAULT STE. MARIE---With the Upper Peninsula Zone Tournament just a couple of weeks away, the Escanaba Cubs and Gladstone Indians American Legion baseball teams are looking for good competition...and as many ballgames as possible.  And both teams played some good baseball before losing in the tournament semifinals on Sunday. Gladstone beat Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario), 8-0, Sunday morning to earn a spot in the semifinals. The Indians then battled the host Eastern U.P. Travelers into extra innings, before falling, 3-2, in eight. Gladstone finished 2-2-1 on the weekend. Escanaba had to wait for other games to finish Sunday morning before finding out if they would also make the semifinals. The Cubs did earn a spot, and got good pitching and defense, but no hitting. Escanaba lost to Ida from southern Lower Michigan, 3-0. Ida and the EUP Travelers played in the tournament championship game later Sunday. On Saturday, it was a long day, and a long evening, for the Cubs. Because most of the games were rained out at this tournament on Friday, organizers tried to cram in as many games as possible on the two fields Saturday. And that meant a rare tripleheader for the Cubs.  Rookie Gavin Peacock picked up the shutout by pitching the entire game on the mound. The Cubs' second game of the day ended in a tie...another rarity in American Legion Baseball. That's because there was a 90-minute time limit on Saturday's games. The Cubs played to a 1-1 tie with the Marquette Blues, with Brandon Punzel pitching well, but getting no run support. A weary Cubs team then lost to the host Eastern U.P. Travelers, 6-0, in Saturday night's final game at James Field. Escanaba had opened the tournament on Friday with an 11-2 win over Ishpeming. Logan Lamb hit two home runs, including a grand slam that ended the game. C.J. Barron also hit a home run for the Cubs, who played on the Laucks Field, using wooden bats. As for Gladstone, the Indians rolled to a 13-0 win over the Copper Country Flames Friday afternoon. Then on Saturday, the Indians tied Sanford, 2-2, behind the pitching of Jake Peterson. Also on Saturday, Gladstone lost to Ida, 3-1, depsite strong pitching from Clay Cole. Gladstone also finished the tournament with a 2-2-1 record. Escanaba's season record is now 8-10-1. Gladstone's record stands at 6-11-1. Escanaba and Gladstone will face each other next Friday night at Al Ness Field. Game time is 8:00 and it will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and rrnsports.com. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Sheila Olsen.  |
