ESCANABA --- The Escanaba 10-11 Boys Little League All-Star team beat Norway's 10-11 Little League All-Star team, 12-6, in the District Ten championship in Escanaba behind three big innings and solid pitching from four different pitchers.
Escanaba struck first in the top half of the first as the second baseman Nathan Howes was advanced from first to third on a single by the first baseman Ayden Mylander off the starting pitcher Drew Anderson for Norway.
Howes later scored on a wild pitch.
Norway answered in the bottom half of the inning as the catcher Zac Pelligrini singled off the starting pitcher Stephen Weinert for Esky.
He scored all the way from first on a big RBI double by Anderson into right center field.
Then with two outs in the inning the second baseman Tyler Spring hit a comebacker to the pitcher Weinert. The ball bounced off his glove and another run came in to score on the error. Escanaba scored three runs in the top of the third to retake the lead.
Right fielder Adam Willette was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. He scored all the way from first on third baseman Jayger LaMarch's RBI double to right center field.
First baseman Ayden Mylander followed with an RBI single, and he advanced to second on a wild pitch. The catcher Hunter Lancour scored him with an RBI single. After the top half of the third, Esky had a 4-2 lead.
Norway cut into that lead in the bottom half of the inning as Brady Anderson walked, advanced to second on the single by the first baseman Jessie Sampson, and scored on the RBI single by substitute Ryan Johnson.
The score was 4-3, and Esky needed to tack on to their lead because Norway wasn't giving up.
All of Esky's runs in the top of the fourth came with two outs as Scott Hiller walked to continue the inning. Hiller was dancing in between first and second and forced a throw from the catcher Pelligrini. The throw was high at first base and allowed Hiller to use his speed to get all the way to third base. Hiller then scored on a wild pitch.
Weinert walked and scored on a double by LaMarch.
LaMarch then scored on a wild pitch as Howes walked. So with two outs Norway took out starting pitcher Drew Anderson. The first batter Pelligrini saw on the mound was Mylander and after a wild pitch that advanced Howes to second, Mylander singled him home to make the score 8-3.
Norway wasn't quitting though as they scored two runs in the bottom half of the fourth to make it 8-5. Anderson hit his second double of the game to lead off the inning.
He advanced to third on an infield single by the center fielder Nolan Amundson.
Tyler Spring hit an infield single as well, and Kevin Strietzel hit a big two RBI single to center field to keep the game close.
The score stayed 8-5 into the sixth inning and Esky needed an insurance run or two to make the bottom half less stressful. They got a little more than that and it was all they needed to take the trophy. Four hits and one walk later and Esky had all the runs they needed as they had a 12-5 lead going into the bottom half.
Two walks with two outs made things a little interesting for Esky in the bottom of the sixth but a comebacker to the relief pitcher Mylander ended the game after one run.
Lucas Weinert, Nathan Howes, Hunter Lancour, and Ayden Hylander all pitched for the Escanaba All-Stars. Escanaba will host Marquette in the sectional tournament on Friday at 6:00 at Carl Dickson field in Escanaba.
The games will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600) and at www.rrnsports.com.
Click the above thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from Tuesday night's game.
Howes later scored on a wild pitch.
Norway answered in the bottom half of the inning as the catcher Zac Pelligrini singled off the starting pitcher Stephen Weinert for Esky.
He scored all the way from first on a big RBI double by Anderson into right center field.
Then with two outs in the inning the second baseman Tyler Spring hit a comebacker to the pitcher Weinert. The ball bounced off his glove and another run came in to score on the error. Escanaba scored three runs in the top of the third to retake the lead.
Right fielder Adam Willette was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. He scored all the way from first on third baseman Jayger LaMarch's RBI double to right center field.
Norway cut into that lead in the bottom half of the inning as Brady Anderson walked, advanced to second on the single by the first baseman Jessie Sampson, and scored on the RBI single by substitute Ryan Johnson.
The score was 4-3, and Esky needed to tack on to their lead because Norway wasn't giving up.
All of Esky's runs in the top of the fourth came with two outs as Scott Hiller walked to continue the inning. Hiller was dancing in between first and second and forced a throw from the catcher Pelligrini. The throw was high at first base and allowed Hiller to use his speed to get all the way to third base. Hiller then scored on a wild pitch.
Weinert walked and scored on a double by LaMarch.
Norway wasn't quitting though as they scored two runs in the bottom half of the fourth to make it 8-5. Anderson hit his second double of the game to lead off the inning.
He advanced to third on an infield single by the center fielder Nolan Amundson.
Tyler Spring hit an infield single as well, and Kevin Strietzel hit a big two RBI single to center field to keep the game close.
The score stayed 8-5 into the sixth inning and Esky needed an insurance run or two to make the bottom half less stressful. They got a little more than that and it was all they needed to take the trophy. Four hits and one walk later and Esky had all the runs they needed as they had a 12-5 lead going into the bottom half.
Two walks with two outs made things a little interesting for Esky in the bottom of the sixth but a comebacker to the relief pitcher Mylander ended the game after one run.
Lucas Weinert, Nathan Howes, Hunter Lancour, and Ayden Hylander all pitched for the Escanaba All-Stars. Escanaba will host Marquette in the sectional tournament on Friday at 6:00 at Carl Dickson field in Escanaba.
The games will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600) and at www.rrnsports.com.
Click the above thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from Tuesday night's game.
