Esky tested in downstate showdowns

Bruntjens
ESCANABA — The Escanaba softball team ventured downstate over the weekend for some early-season showdowns.
The Eskymos came home with a 3-1 record, including a 2-1 mark Saturday in the competitive Saginaw Swan Valley Invitational.
“The competition was fantastic,” said Esky coach Jamie Segorski, whose team defeated Division 1 top-ranked Midland Saturday.
“We played great as a team. We identified some things we need to work on. We are excited where we are at.”
Esky (6-1), ranked No. 2 in Division 2, started the weekend with a 22-5 win Friday night at West Branch Ogemaw Heights. The Eskymos split mound duties with Gabi Salo (two innings, no hits, five strikeouts), Katie Ross (two innings, no hits, four strikeouts) and Peyton Gustafson (one inning).
Taylor Gauthier smacked two home runs and two doubles, Emily Bruntjens collected six hits in six at bats, Ross supplied three singles and a home run and Maddie Griffin went 3-for-3 with her first varsity home run.
In Saturday’s invitational opener, Esky blanked Lake Fenton 7-0. Ross worked the first four innings, allowing one hit with four strikeouts. Salo pitched the last three innings and allowed no hits with two strikeouts.
Taylor Segorski had two hits including a triple, Ross collected two hits, Jerikka McAlpine produced a single and triple and Aubree Saunders added two hits for Esky.
In Game 2, Esky routed Midland 11-2 as Salo pitched a four-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Ross strained a hamstring and quadricep on Friday and did not pitch anymore after Saturday morning.
Claire McInerney belted three hits including a double and home run, Ross was 3-for-3, Malary Hiney delivered a double and home run and Gauthier had a homer among her two hits.
“We played well and our bats were there,” coach Segorski said about the Midland win. “Our defense played fantastic behind Gabi. McAlpine made a great diving catch to end one inning with two runners on base. All in all, it was a fantastic team effort.”
Esky lost its final game of the round robin invitational with a 7-6 setback to Swan Valley, which is ranked No. 3 in Division 2. It also was a rematch of Esky’s quarterfinal win last season over Swan Valley.
Salo went the distance and suffered the loss after pitching 17 straight innings.
“She was getting tired and it was the first long outing of the year,” Segorski said. “Losing Katie (on the mound) early in the day really hurt us. I didn’t want to put her out there to pitch when she wasn’t 100 percent.”
Bruntjens, McAlpine and McInerney each had two hits for the Eskymos against Swan Valley.
“We outhit Swan Valley 13-12,” Segorski said.
“It was an offensive game. It was a lot of fun.”
Esky will face Negaunee in its home opener Wednesday for a doubleheader.