SAULT STE. MARIE - Codi Jenshak scattered seven hits through two softball games Monday as the Escanaba Eskymos gained their first Division 2 district softball title in seven years by topping Petoskey 2-1 and Cheboygan 2-0.
Jenshak tossed a three-hitter, struck out two and walked one against Petoskey and allowed four hits to Cheboygan.
"Codi pitched quite well in both games," said Esky manager John LaMarch. "We're real proud to have her on our side. She had a nice change-up and dropball and great control as far as hitting the corners. She didn't allow either team to get great swings."
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Mike McKee | Sault Evening News
Braedyn Bosilovatz of Escanaba hits the ball Monday during a Divison 2 district softball game against Petoskey Monday at Sault Ste.?Marie.
The victories enable Esky (23-13) to advance to the regional tournament at West Branch, where it will open against Howard City Tri-County at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Esky's defense rose to the occasion in the sixth inning of the title contest when it retired three straight Cheboygan hitters after the Chiefs put two baserunners aboard.
"For us defensively, that was the ball game because we had a pretty uneventful seventh inning," said LaMarch. "I think this means a lot for the girls. They can look at this as a reward for all their hard work and sacrifices throughout the season."
The Eskymos scored their first run on Kayli VanEffen's sacrifice fly in the fourth and added their second run on Zoe Berquist's suicide squeeze bunt in the sixth.
Esky finished with five hits.
"They (Cheboygan) had a tough pitcher," said LaMarch.
Against Petoskey, Mallory Zimmerman's RBI double and Jenshak's single enabled the Eskymos to gain a 2-0 lead in the third frame.
"Any run in a playoff game is huge," said LaMarch. "To get two really allows your team to relax a little. From that point, our defense was stellar."
Petoskey scored in the sixth, but Esky didn't allow the Northmen to get the equalizer.
Junior third baseman Braedyn Bosilovatz shined for the Eskymos on defense as she assisted on five put-outs.
"Braedyn did a great job and was was selected to the all-district team, which shows the respect she earned," said LaMarch.