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CANTON and MARQUETTE -- The Escanaba Eskymos softball team are currently in the midst of a hectic six-day stretch that sees them play a total of 11 games.
Since Saturday, the team has played seven games, earning five wins along the way.
Over the weekend, the girls went 3-2 downstate in Canton at the Michigan Challenge.
"Sunday, we made the Championship Bracket of the Michigan Challenge," said Escanaba coach Andy Fields. "Out of 36 teams, we made the top eight.
"Our reward for making the top eight, we got a game versus number one Allen Park. They have a lethal lineup top to bottom which features a University of Michigan signee shortstop Madi Ramey."
Sunday brought two losses for Escanaba against the Allen Park Jaguars (9-8) and Canton (3-2) in the Championship bracket of the Michigan Challenge.
Grayson LaMarche was given the nod to start the game against Allen Park ,and she excelled both on the mound and at the plate, said Fields. While she had four RBIs at the plate, she fanned 11 on the mound while walking only three. On four allowed hits, she gave up seven earned runs.
McKayla Mott closed the game and gave up one hit for two earned runs.
"We out-hit and out-played them but, like great teams do, they took advantage of our mistakes," said fields. "They hit two 3-run homeruns."
Lizzy Sliva (2 RBIs) and Anna Boutilier (1 RBI) both shined from inside the batter's box, too, as they went 3-4 batting.
After the tense first Sunday game, the Eskymos couldn't quite bounce back for game two against Canton.
"After losing the highly emotional, pressure-packed, first game of the day, we laid an egg in our 2nd game," said Fields. "Temps reached 90 degrees by the time we were done, and it was very hard to get up for the game with Canton.
"Disappointing to end the weekend with two losses, but overall, the weekend was a success."
Despite making a late-game charge -- with McKayla Mott hitting a solo home run and Boutilier scoring on a double from Erica Moore -- the Eskymos fell one point short, 3-2, against Canton.
On Saturday, the Eskymos defeated the Carleton Airport Jets (15-0) and Warren Cousino Patriots (10-0) in two, four-inning shutouts via the mercy rule. They added another Saturday win against the New Baltimore Anchor Bay Tars, winning 6-4.
Possibly the biggest success from the weekend is the lessons the team learned about themselves.
"We found out a lot about ourselves, and the girls learned they can play with anybody at any time," commented Fields. "We are in a great place right now."
The Eskymos returned to the Upper Peninsula, but not quite to their home field, Monday as they defeated the Marquette Redmen in a doubleheader, 17-0, 23-0, in Marquette.
Both of those games ended after three innings.
Between the two games and four pitchers -- LaMarche, Boutilier, Mott and Carsyn Segorski -- the Eskymos only gave up two hits in the twin bill.
In the five wins, the Eskymos outscored opponents 71-4.
The Eskymos host rival Gladstone today.