Esky Girls Flash Leather; Advance To State Semis

INDIAN RIVER---The Escanaba Junior Little League All-Stars (age 13-14) made three exceptional catches in the outfield and threw out another girl trying to steal second as part of a 10-0 state tournament win over Constantine Friday in Indian River.

Lexi Chaillier makes this sliding catch

Taylor Gauthier launched a three-run homer in the fifth inning as Escanaba finished pool play with a 2-1 record and advanced to the state semifinals.

After having defensive lapses in a loss to Indian River on Friday, the sparkling defense this time was welcome.

Perhaps the best play of the game happened in the third inning when Constantine's Raigan Dumm hit one up the right-center field gap.

Maddy Kolich raced over from right field, dove, caught the ball, and did a summersalt to end the inning.

In the next inning, Constantine's Alex Fibshman hit a sinking line drive to left-center field. Lexi Chaillier ran in and made a sliding catch going toward the infield.

Maddy Kolich great diving catch

And in the fifth inning, Kolich was at it again. Kiara Price hit a fly ball that was tailing toward the right field foul line. Kolich got there and lunged out for the ball...catching it again.

And then in the sixth inning, Constantine needed a run to avoid being mercied.

Dumm got a base hit, but she was thrown out trying to steal second by Malary Hiney, with Gauthier applying the tag. This defense backed up the pitching of Hannah Edington, who tossed all six innings, allowing four hits but striking out seven batters.

Savannah Barron scores a run Friday.

Constantine made six errors in the first three innings, and Escanaba took advantage, taking a 3-0 lead.

They had a hard time hitting pitcher Kim Maddox, who did not throw as fast as the Indian River pitcher the Escanaba girls faced the previous day.

Finally, in the fifth inning, Constantine decided to remove Maddox from the circle and have Ao Sloderback pitch instead. Escanaba took advantage right away. Claire McInerney walked, Hiney got a base hit off of the third base bag, and then Gauthier launched a three-run homer over the right field fence to make it 7-0.

They brought Maddox back in to pitch again, but Escanaba kept hitting. Edington smoked a double to left and scored on a single by Savannah Barron. Later, Abby Jackson put down a nice bunt single and scored on a Heather Bergstrom grounder.

Taylor Gauthier three-run homer

Escanaba ended up with ten hits, with Barron getting three of them.

Escanaba will face St. Clair out of the Port Huron area in the state semifinals on Saturday. St. Clair defeated Rockford, 6-3, on Friday.

The first semifinal on Saturday will feature Indian River Tri-Rivers and Rockford. Escanaba's game starts at 1:00 and it will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.