Cubs hope to peak at Legion district
By Dennis GrallArticle Photos
ESCANABA - After a typical sluggish start, the Escanaba Cubs appear ready to hit their peak when it counts.
The Cubs host the American Legion district baseball tournament this weekend, and should be one of the two teams advancing to the zone next week.
Esky (14-11) faces Menominee (22-11) at 7 p.m. Friday at Al Ness Field. The Cubs, who did not start their season until the Escanaba High School team was knocked out of the state playoffs at the quarterfinal level June 10, have won eight of their last nine games.
They started June 17 and began 0-3, won three straight and then dropped three more before finding their groove with six straight wins in a tournament in Sault Ste. Marie.
Gladstone manager Jim Beauchamp said Esky skipper Tom Ohman has found the right method to make the transition from the high school season to the Legion season.
"He is looking to peak right now," said Beauchamp, noting the difficulty of coming out of a highly-charged tourney atmosphere on the high school level. "There is nothing to work for really, but now all of a sudden there is something to work for. I guarantee you will see Escanaba at the top of their game."
Ohman, in his 27th year at the helm, said "we've just been preparing them for districts. The season is important for momentum. We are coming off basically where we want them to be. They go through a two-week period where they are kind of going through the motions. We never get out of the gate quick."
Last year the Cubs finished third at the Legion state tourney, after a 5-10 start prior to the Sault tourney. "We've pretty much written the same script this year," said Ohman.
"The key to our team is when we get good pitching we give ourselves a chance to win. In the Sault we got good pitching and we hit the ball well. In fact, we hit the ball extremely well."
Pitching has been built around Garrick Fisher, Doug Beattie, Jordan LeMire, Brent Johnson, Ryan Way and Travis Villeneuve. Beattie has been hampered with a tired arm recently but should be ready for the weekend, Ohman said.
Catcher Chris Hillesheim, who will join Fisher on the St. Norbert College baseball team, "is the one who got us going in the Sault tournament," said Ohman. "Travis Villeneuve has also been hitting the ball very well. They kind of set the table for everyone else."
Ohman said Fisher "has been very consistent" while playing a variety of positions. "Another kid who has been a surprise is Tony Peacock."
Gladstone is the favorite to win the district, but because the Indians are an automatic state tournament as the host their motivation may not be at the same level as Esky, Menominee and Sault.
Gladstone ia 4-1 against the Cubs this season, and also was 2-2 against the high school squad.
"We haven't been successful with Gladstone this year, but that happens," said Ohman. "Their kids seem to get up more than we do."
Ohman noted the Cubs erased a 3-0 deficit and took a 6-5 lead the last time they played Gladstone, before falling 9-7. "I hope that helps the kids," he said.
He also pointed out the Indians have not had extensive swings against the top Esky pitchers this season. "I'm hoping that plays to our benefit," he said. "It is a roll of the dice."
If Esky and Gladstone win their openers Friday, the Delta County rivals will play Saturday at 11 a.m. They could meet again at noon Sunday in the championship game, with another game at 3 p.m. if necessary.
If Gladstone wins the district, the district runner-up would advance to the zone tourney Aug. 2-3 in Gladstone. If Esky wins, the Cubs would host the Marquette district champion Aug. 2-3.
