ESSEXVILLE, Mich.----Gabi Salo turned in one of the most dominating pitching performances of this Major Softball State Tournament on Sunday as the Escanaba Little League All-Stars beat Taylor, 8-0, in the state quarterfinal contest.
Salo threw a no-hitter, striking out 14 batters in her six innings of work. Two of the outs that were not on strikes were balls hit right back to her.
She overpowered the entire lineup of a pretty good, albeit young, team from Detroit's "downriver" area.
Salo faced only one batter above the minimum of 18 at this age group. She issued a walk to Taylor's Morgan Cartwright in the fourth inning, but catcher Katie Wilson threw her out trying to steal moments later.
The only other runner reached on an error.
It was the second straight no-hitter thrown by Escanaba pitchers, after Hannah Edington turned the trick against Negaunee on Sunday. Escanaba pitching has allowed only four base hits in the four tournament games the girls have played so far.
On Sunday, Escanaba scored two runs in the first inning on a hit by Kenzie Romps. Then in the third inning, Escanaba added three runs to take a 5-0 lead...with Edington's triple being the highlight.
Edington drove in two more runs with a hit in the fifth inning to make it 7-0, and then Wilson drove in the team's final run in the top of the sixth inning.
Escanaba had eleven base hits in the game, with Wilson leading the way with three hits and a walk. Edington had two hits, Maddy Griffin contributed a double, while Jalin Olson and Salo each had singles.
Escanaba has outscored its four opponents, 33-2, this week, at the state finals.
It gets tougher for the girls, however, as the state semifinals begin on Monday. Escanaba will face the District Seven champions from St. Clair.
The other semifinal will pit Rogers City against North Ottawa County.
The Escanaba-St. Clair game starts at 5:45 and it will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com, starting with the pre-game show at 5:30.
ESCANABA JUNIOR GIRLS WIN TITLE---The Escanaba Junior Girls (age 13-14) won a district championship on Sunday, beating Kingsford, 6-0, at Lemmerand Park. Katie Ross pitched all seven innings, and faced just one batter above the minimum of 21. Kayla VanPortfliet and Taylor Segorski both had two hits in the game. Segorski went 7-for-9 in the tournament. Mariah Clement had Kingsford's only base hit. Escanaba hosts Baraga in the sectionals next Friday, with games at 5:00 and 7:00.
ESCANABA SENIOR GIRLS WIN 2ND GAME---The Escanaba Senior Girls (age 15-16) advanced to the district championship game by beating Kingsford, 10-0, Sunday night at Lemmerand Park. Jayme Frappier pitched all six innings, giving up two hits and four walks along the way. Callie Heller had four hits in the game while Sam Sailor added a pair of singles. Lacy Walsh took the loss for Kingsford, which will face Norway in a loser's bracket game in Escanaba Monday night at 7ET/6CT. Escanaba will take on the winner Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 ET, again, at Lemmerand Park.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from the Major Girls game, and to listen to audio highlights.
She overpowered the entire lineup of a pretty good, albeit young, team from Detroit's "downriver" area.
Salo faced only one batter above the minimum of 18 at this age group. She issued a walk to Taylor's Morgan Cartwright in the fourth inning, but catcher Katie Wilson threw her out trying to steal moments later.
The only other runner reached on an error.
It was the second straight no-hitter thrown by Escanaba pitchers, after Hannah Edington turned the trick against Negaunee on Sunday. Escanaba pitching has allowed only four base hits in the four tournament games the girls have played so far.
Kenzie Romps drives home two runs.
Edington drove in two more runs with a hit in the fifth inning to make it 7-0, and then Wilson drove in the team's final run in the top of the sixth inning.
Escanaba has outscored its four opponents, 33-2, this week, at the state finals.
It gets tougher for the girls, however, as the state semifinals begin on Monday. Escanaba will face the District Seven champions from St. Clair.
The other semifinal will pit Rogers City against North Ottawa County.
The Escanaba-St. Clair game starts at 5:45 and it will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com, starting with the pre-game show at 5:30.
ESCANABA JUNIOR GIRLS WIN TITLE---The Escanaba Junior Girls (age 13-14) won a district championship on Sunday, beating Kingsford, 6-0, at Lemmerand Park. Katie Ross pitched all seven innings, and faced just one batter above the minimum of 21. Kayla VanPortfliet and Taylor Segorski both had two hits in the game. Segorski went 7-for-9 in the tournament. Mariah Clement had Kingsford's only base hit. Escanaba hosts Baraga in the sectionals next Friday, with games at 5:00 and 7:00.
ESCANABA SENIOR GIRLS WIN 2ND GAME---The Escanaba Senior Girls (age 15-16) advanced to the district championship game by beating Kingsford, 10-0, Sunday night at Lemmerand Park. Jayme Frappier pitched all six innings, giving up two hits and four walks along the way. Callie Heller had four hits in the game while Sam Sailor added a pair of singles. Lacy Walsh took the loss for Kingsford, which will face Norway in a loser's bracket game in Escanaba Monday night at 7ET/6CT. Escanaba will take on the winner Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 ET, again, at Lemmerand Park.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from the Major Girls game, and to listen to audio highlights.
Escanaba Coach Dave Wilson talks with Georgia Lehto during Sunday's quarterfinal game in Essexville.
