ESSEXVILLE, Mich.---After going through 21 innings of mortal combat with their cross-bay rivals on the weekend, the Escanaba Little League All-Stars (age 11-12) were able to relax just a little bit as the state tournament began Thursday in Essexville.
Escanaba played against one of the state's newest leagues, and the girls were able to take advantage of several mistakes and defeat Lac St. Clair, 10-0, in four innings.
The team from the northeastern Detroit suburbs is part of a league that is still learning the fundamentals of softball, but their girls seemed to have a good time despite the score.
Escanaba Manager Gary Salo was happy to see his team get off to a good start.
"We can play better than what we played, but a win is a win," Salo said. "I think anytime you start off getting as many runs as we did in the first inning, it's good to swing the bat like that.
"My girls have a great work ethic. We''ll set up the nets and practice a little bit tomorrow morning, and then get back at it."
Escanaba's five runs in the first inning were capped by Hannah Edington's two-run single, plus a pop fly single by Gabi Salo.
In the second inning, two runs scored on Maddy Griffin's fly ball that got past the right fielder, and Kenzie Romps hit a sacrafice fly.
Salo pitched the first two innings and Edington threw the final two. They combined to allow one hit and a walk, striking out eight batters in the mercy-shortened game.
One comical moment was in the fourth inning when Edington got in a pickle between third base in home plate. She wiggled around a bit after falling down, and eventually made it home when a high throw glanced off the catcher's glove.
"I started running and I fell," Edington laughed. "I always fall! I got up and went back to third, then all of a sudden, I see that she (catcher) dropped it and it went back behind her. So, I ran. It wasn't a very good slide, (but) I got there!"
The Upper Peninsula's other team in this state tournament, Negaunee, had a 3-2 lead over Rogers City in the fifth inning of their game. But the wheels fell off in the final two innings and Rogers City scored eleven times to win the game, 13-3.
Escanaba faces Rogers City Friday morning at 11:00 as pool play continues. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.
Negaunee will take on Lac St. Clair at 10:00 Friday, and then the two Upper Peninsula teams will face each other Saturday night at 7:15 (revised game time).
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from both the Escanaba and Negaunee games.
Escanaba played against one of the state's newest leagues, and the girls were able to take advantage of several mistakes and defeat Lac St. Clair, 10-0, in four innings.
Escanaba Manager Gary Salo was happy to see his team get off to a good start.
"We can play better than what we played, but a win is a win," Salo said. "I think anytime you start off getting as many runs as we did in the first inning, it's good to swing the bat like that.
"My girls have a great work ethic. We''ll set up the nets and practice a little bit tomorrow morning, and then get back at it."
Escanaba's five runs in the first inning were capped by Hannah Edington's two-run single, plus a pop fly single by Gabi Salo.
Esky's Hannah Edington drives home two runs
Salo pitched the first two innings and Edington threw the final two. They combined to allow one hit and a walk, striking out eight batters in the mercy-shortened game.
"I started running and I fell," Edington laughed. "I always fall! I got up and went back to third, then all of a sudden, I see that she (catcher) dropped it and it went back behind her. So, I ran. It wasn't a very good slide, (but) I got there!"
The Upper Peninsula's other team in this state tournament, Negaunee, had a 3-2 lead over Rogers City in the fifth inning of their game. But the wheels fell off in the final two innings and Rogers City scored eleven times to win the game, 13-3.
Esky's Maddy Griffin goes three bases on grounder.
Negaunee will take on Lac St. Clair at 10:00 Friday, and then the two Upper Peninsula teams will face each other Saturday night at 7:15 (revised game time).
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from both the Escanaba and Negaunee games.
