Todd Rose | Daily Press The Escanaba softball team poses with its MHSAA Division 2 District 33 Championship trophy after defeating Sault Ste. Marie June 4 in Sault Ste. Marie.

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Escanaba Eskymos softball team took home the MHSAA Division 1 District 33 Championship Saturday afternoon after they defeated the hosting Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils 16-0 in Sault Ste. Marie.

“(It feels) very good,” said Escanaba coach Andy Fields. “The girls are playing well right now. We did everything well on offense today. We were bunting well, base running well. It was all working, and they were being selective at the plates.”

Leading the Esky bats was McKayla Mott, who set a probable school record going 3-3 for three home runs and five RBIs.

The first two dingers crossed the fence to drive in two runs each, while the third was a solo shot over the centerfield fence.

For Mott — and more than likely Escanaba history — it was her best offensive performance in a game.

How did she do it?

“Just looking for the right pitch,” commented Mott. “(I was) making sure I was selective with what I was taking and making sure I was powerful through each of my swings.”

Mott is hopeful the district win helps propel the Eskymos for their run into regionals next Saturday in Gaylord.

“It’s really good,” she said of the win. “It feels really good to have that kind of win going into our regional building confidence and positivity throughout the entire team.”

Freshman Grayson LaMarche pitched the championship win for the Eskymos and finished with 13 strikeouts while only giving up two walks and one hit.

“McKayla had a hell of a day,” said Fields. “She’s been working on her pitching a little, but today with the hitting, wow. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen three home runs in a game. That might be a school record, but I’d have to check.”

The homers put Mott into double digits at 10 for the season.

“Grayson, she was fresh,” commented Fields. “She hasn’t pitched in a live game in about a week and a half, so she was on her game today. And, the ball was moving really well.”

The Eskymos qualified for the title game earlier in the day by defeating the Cheboygan Chiefs 13-3 in another dominant performance. Through both wins, the Esky dugout stayed loud with cheers, chants and celebrations.

“Our dugout was awesome today,” Fields added. “Overall, everything was good for us.”

Gabrielle Killips started at the pitching spot for Sault Ste. Marie while Danica Bergeron — who also pitched for the Blue Devils’ win over Kingsford in the semifinal — relieved her and went the final four.

With only two seniors, the Blue Devils’ district final appearance will help build momentum for the program believes coach Lisa Schulte.

“I’m just really proud of our progress all year,” Schulte said. “And to finish second in the district — I don’t think we’ve been in a district final since 2010 — that’s pretty cool.

“We’re a really young team. We only have two seniors. So, I was really proud of us beating Kingsford. Kingsford’s a good quality team. Obviously, I knew Escanaba was going to be tough. They’re going to make a good run again this year.”

The sole hit for the Blue Devils came from the bat of Hailey O’Connor.