ESCANABA---The Escanaba Cubs American Legion Baseball team advanced to the semifinals of the Gregg Johnson Memorial Tournament Saturday night with a 15-0 mercy0shortened win over Copper Country Post 186 at Al Ness Field.
The Cubs later lost to DePere, 15-3, in a game that turned out to mean very little.
In Saturday's opener, Escanaba scored seven runs in the first inning to quickly take all suspense from the game. Brandon Punzel had a two-run single and Sean Bissell had a two-run double to the fence. Justin Popelka, Jack Valentine, and Parker LaMarch also had RBI hits in that inning. Sam Hall pitched three scoreless innings for the victory.
Parker LaMarch was on base all four times, with two hits and two walks.
That win meant that Escanaba would advance to the semifinals, along with DePere, Midland Berryhill, and Gladstone.
So, Saturday's late game against DePere meant nothing for the weekend standings. In that game, DePere took a 7-0 lead before the Cubs scored three times in the bottom of the sixth inning. DePere put the game away with eight runs in the seventh inning.
Popelka came off the bench to get a single and a double, and Bissell also had two hits. C.J. Barron took the loss, giving up five hits in five innings of work, and just two earned runs. Parker LaMarch and his brother, Hunter, both pitched in relief. Yes, Hunter LaMarch, better known around town as "Punk", pitched, and gave up a few runs at the end.
Escanaba faces Midland Berryhill in the semifinals Sunday morning at 11:30. Catch the broadcast on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.
SATURDAY'S TOURNAMENT SCORES
Escanaba 15, Copper Country 0
DePere, Wis. 15, Escanaba 3
Gladstone 7, Kingsford 1
Midland Berryhill 15, Gladstone 0
Midland Berryhill 7, Marquette 2
Green Bay, Wis. 13, Marquette 0
Green Bay, Wis. 15, Copper Country 0
DePere, Wis. 9, Kingsford 3
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos from Saturday's Cubs-Copper Country game.
The Cubs later lost to DePere, 15-3, in a game that turned out to mean very little.

Parker LaMarch was on base all four times, with two hits and two walks.
That win meant that Escanaba would advance to the semifinals, along with DePere, Midland Berryhill, and Gladstone.
So, Saturday's late game against DePere meant nothing for the weekend standings. In that game, DePere took a 7-0 lead before the Cubs scored three times in the bottom of the sixth inning. DePere put the game away with eight runs in the seventh inning.
Popelka came off the bench to get a single and a double, and Bissell also had two hits. C.J. Barron took the loss, giving up five hits in five innings of work, and just two earned runs. Parker LaMarch and his brother, Hunter, both pitched in relief. Yes, Hunter LaMarch, better known around town as "Punk", pitched, and gave up a few runs at the end.
Escanaba faces Midland Berryhill in the semifinals Sunday morning at 11:30. Catch the broadcast on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.
SATURDAY'S TOURNAMENT SCORES
Escanaba 15, Copper Country 0
DePere, Wis. 15, Escanaba 3
Gladstone 7, Kingsford 1
Midland Berryhill 15, Gladstone 0
Midland Berryhill 7, Marquette 2
Green Bay, Wis. 13, Marquette 0
Green Bay, Wis. 15, Copper Country 0
DePere, Wis. 9, Kingsford 3
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos from Saturday's Cubs-Copper Country game.
