Click the thumbnails to see photos, videos taken by RRN Intern Braden Kerr
GLADSTONE---The Escanaba Cubs American Legion Baseball team scored four runs in the second inning to break a 1-1 tie and rolled past the rival Gladstone Indians, 13-4, Tuesday night at Don Olsen Field.
Cubs rookie Matt Kaven had a career night, with a home run, two singles, and three runs batted in. Escanaba put together the big inning against Gladstone senior Cam Kelly, who made it just two-plus innings on the mound, allowing eight runs (four earned) on seven hits.
Braden Sundquist, Aedan Creten, and Gavin Frossard followed Kelly to the mound, and all gave up at least one run. They combined to allow 14 Cubs hits.
Kaven got a rare start at third base for Escanaba, and he delivered, going 3-for-5, driving in three runs. His hit in the second inning put the Cubs ahead, 2-1, then Eli Gardner smoked a base hit down the left field line to plate two runs, making it 4-1.
Escanaba led, 8-1, in the third inning, when the Indians got two runs on a Nick Martin double, a Kelly ground out, and then Gardner walked two batters and hit another to load the bases.
He walked Noah Peterson to force in a run, but got Casey Alworden to ground out to strand the bases loaded, keeping Escanaba in an 8-3 lead.
With Escanaba leading 8-4, Kaven stepped up and hit his first Cubs home run to left field, making it a 9-4 ballgame. And then in the sixth inning, Kaven wrapped up his career night by smacking an RBI single to left field, putting Escanaba ahead, 11-4.
Gardner pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on only two hits, but he issued seven walks. Lennox Peacock threw the final 3 1/3 innings to earn the win, allowing only one base hit and striking out five batters.
Kelly had two runs batted in for Gladstone. But the Indians had only three base hits, and they made six errors in the game on defense.
Escanaba improved to 9-8 on the season and will host Marquette Wednesday night at 6:00. That game will be broadcast on FM-100.3 and www.rrnsports.com.
Gladstone fell to 7-12-1 on the season.
The Indians have lost seven games in a row. They will travel to Menominee Thursday night for a 7:00 game. It will be broadcast on FM-93.5, AM-600, and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.
GLADSTONE INDIANS HAND OUT GROLEAU SCHOLARSHIP---The Gladstone Indians gave out the Christian Groleau Scholarship before the Tuesday night game. It was established by the family of the former Gladstone Braves and Indians player, who died of suicide in 2020. Groleau was a member of the 2014 Indians State Championship team.
This $500 scholarship will be given to one graduating Indians player every year for being a "true leader, on and off, always demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, is highly motivated, and helps to motivate and inspire other teammates".
The winner this year was catcher Nick Martin.
