Escanaba Majors Slip Past Tri-County To Stay Alive

GLADSTONE---The Escanaba Major Little League All-Stars (age 11-12) lived to fight another day Tuesday night by posting a 4-3 win over Tri-County in the district tournament loser's bracket game in Gladstone.

The Escanaba boys played flawless defense and took advantage of three Tri-County errors to get the win. Escanaba faces Munising Wednesday night as districts continue.

Escanaba was pounded by Gladstone, 16-2, in the tournament opener.

But this time around, the boys hung in there, and made the plays that they didn't make on Monday.

Escanaba took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Austin Bourdeau struck out but was safe on an error buy the catcher.

Jaden Gravelle followed with a base hit, and then, with two out, Brett Schlenvogt was safe when he hit a ground ball and the Tri-County first baseman pulled his foot off of the bag as he accepted the throw. Two runs scored.

Tri-County took the lead in the bottom of the second inning.

Jack Rondeau led off with a double and scored on a hit by Dennis Johns. Lucas Kanerver followed with a base hit, and he scored on a wild pitch. Escanaba pitcher Noah Lancour walked two batters, including Dylan Trudell with the bases loaded.

That gave Tri-County a 3-2 lead. But Lancour was able to get a strikeout and a pop up from Tri-County's #2 and #3 hitters to stop the bleeding and strand the bases full.

Escanaba tied the game in the third inning as Ayden Hanson doubled and scored on an error.

Then it stayed tied in the fourth inninhg when, with a runner on base, Tri-County's Trudell ripped one to center. Gravelle dove and caught the ball.

In the fifth inning, Escanaba took the lead when Lancour singled and Hanson walked against Tri-County pitcher Zach Englund. Jake Anderson followed with an RBI single to put Escanaba in front. Then Anderson, pitching in relief of Lancour, did the rest.

He gave up a hit to Englund in the bottom of the fifth, but Englund was later thrown out trying to steal second base by Escanaba catcher Hanson.

In the sixth inning, Anderson retired Tri-County 1-2-3 to preserve the victory.

Escanaba had four hits: singles by Lancour, Anderson and Gravelle, and the double by Hanson. On the mound, Lancour got a "no decision", allowing three runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings. Anderson got the win, allowing no runs on two hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Tri-County had six hits, led by a single and double by Englund.

Rondeau had a double, and there were singles by Johns, Kanerver, and Parker Maki. On the mound, Englund threw 5 1/3 innings, giving up a run on four hits. He struck out eleven batters and walked just one.

Kanerver got the final two outs for Tri-County.

While Tri-County was eliminated, Escanaba advances to play Munising on Wednesday at 6:00 in Gladstone. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600).

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos taken by Amy Mathieson, and to hear audio highlights and interviews.