ESCANABA — It was a nail-biter in the end, but Escanaba-based Mikey D’s Beer Cave hung on for a 2-1 season-opening men’s baseball victory over the Channing Railroaders here Thursday night.

Back-to-back doubles by Carson Shea (to rightfield) and Ben Snyder (left) gave the Delta County squad a two-run cushion in the sixth inning.

Kyle Sexton scored Channing’s run in the seventh on Lane Holsworth’s ground out to the shortstop in this Superiorland League match-up.

The Railroaders (1-1) loaded the bases with one out in the final frame but left runners on first and third base.

“We were fortunate enough to get a few timely hits,” said Mikey D’s manager Jon Bintner. “The back-to-back doubles made it look like we were going to break it open. Then we were lucky to get out of the seventh with giving up just one run.”

Snyder scored Mikey D’s first run on Bob Beauchamp’s grounder to short in the second.

“It was a pretty good game,” said Channing manager Barry Holsworth. “Kyle (Sexton) threw a heck of a game. Kyle is kind of our standby. When he’s on the mound we have a pretty fair chance.”

Winning pitcher Elliott Danhoff allowed just one hit through five innings. He struck out six and walked four. Shea walked one and gave up three hits in the final two frames.

Sexton, who went the distance, fanned three, walked none and allowed five hits.

The Railroaders didn’t commit any errors, and Mikey D’s, which has just two home games this season, had one miscue.

“It was a pretty clean game by both teams,” said Bintner. “Brandon Punzel (leftfielder) made two good running catches for us in the sixth and seventh inning. This was a good first game for us. We know we’re going to have to travel a lot, but they’re doing us a favor by letting us play in the league. I’m excited about our turnout. We have enough guys to scrimmage.”

Snyder finished with two hits, including a leadoff double to left in the second.The Railroaders left runners on the corners in the third and had two thrown out trying to steal in the fourth.

“I think Dan (Harrington) was anticipating the bunt (while trying to steal third base in the fourth).” said manager Holsworth. “We had enough guys on. We have pretty good speed on the bases and stole a few tonight. There’s not very many times Lane (Holsworth) gets on base without stealing one. We always have good numbers. We’ve never had a problem fielding enough guys.”

Mikey D’s is idle until June 28 when it visits Channing. The Railroaders host Marquette Monday.