Esky falls twice to Falls
The ball skips between the legs of Escanaba catcher Michelle Carne as Chelsie Hogan of Oconto Falls scores the first run on a throwing error in the sixth inning of Monday’s opener at Lemerand Field. The Panthers added a second run as the ball bounced to the fence and won 3-0. (Daily Press photo by Dennis Grall)
ESCANABA — Tight games are usually decided by big plays, and Monday all the key plays went to Oconto Falls.
The Panthers edged Escanaba 3-0 and 2-1 in girls softball, with two unearned runs on the same play deciding the opener. A timely hit-and-run snapped a tie in the nightcap.
“When you play good competition, it comes down to a couple of hits (or mistakes),” said Escanaba manager John LaMarch.
Oconto Falls (12-4) scored twice in the sixth inning to end a scoreless struggle in the opener. Chelsie Hogan raced in from third on Paige Surprise’s grounder to second base, with the throw from Devon DePas bouncing between the legs of catcher Michelle Carne.
As the ball rolled to the fence, Courtney Lisowe came charging around third base and scored.
“She (Lisowe) read that really well,” said OF manger Dawn Larsen. “She was gone before I could even yell.”
LaMarch said DePas “charged like she is supposed to.
Jets girls romp in track test
STEPHENSON — Ten days had passed since the Stephenson Invitational Track Meet was rained out, but Mother Nature still indirectly affected its turnout Monday.
Only three schools returned on the make-up date.
Bruntjens, Ferris set at Finals
BIG RAPIDS — A pair of Cinderella teams will square off in the NCAA Division II softball championship opening round Wednesday in Houston.
» Full StoryMid Pen gains narrow victory in mixed scramble
HYDE — The Mid Peninsula Wolverines eked out a victory in a mixed scramble Monday at Highland Golf Club.
Mid Pen (129) outshot Rapid River and Stephenson by two in the nine-hole scramble, with North Central (148) finishing fourth.
Redmen rip Esky in tennis
MARQUETTE — The Marquette Redmen lost just one set as they swept through doubles Monday in a 7-1 tennis conquest of Escanaba.
Jeno Cederna, playing at No. 1 singles, provided Escanaba with its only victory.
Gladstone netters whip Norway
GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Braves tuned up for a big match Wednesday by whipping Norway 7-1 here Monday. The Braves swept the singles in straight sets while losing just three games.
The Braves travel to Escanaba Wednesday.


