Escanaba junior Maddy Mott prepares to hurl a pitch during game two of a doubleheader against Negaunee on April 23, 2024 at Abrahamson Field in Escanaba. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

DEARBORN –Escanaba softball continues to grind through its 2024 season without reigning All-State pitcher Grayson Lamarche.

But Saturday’s action in Dearborn showed that the Eskymos are beginning to their way.

Esky (5-3) earned a 3-0 win over North Branch, a 1-0 win over Anchor Bay and suffered a 12-3 loss to Lake Orion, who was in Division 1’s state semifinals a year ago.

Here’s what went down:

Escanaba 3, North Branch 0

While junior pitcher Maddy Mott was left unsatisfied with her performance in the circle against Negaunee on Tuesday, she found a way to put it out of sight.

In fact, no North Branch hitter got beyond first base on Saturday. The Broncos got desperate to put a duck in scoring position, attempting to steal second with two outs in the top of the fifth. Catcher Carly Bowden had other ideas, throwing her out at second to end the Broncos best threat of the day.

Taylor Forvilly dropped a sacrifice bunt to score McKenzie Engebretson in the second for a 1-0 lead, Emma Wisler dropped a sacrifice bunt in the fourth to score Engebretson for a 2-0 lead after four and Mott gave herself a third insurance run with a two-out RBI single in the sixth for a 3-0 lead.

Mott finished 2-for 3 with a RBI and allowed six hits and fanned five across six shutout innings in the circle. Engebretson finished 2-for-2 and scored twice. Katey Lamb finished 1-for-3 and Anna Boutilier stole a base.

Lake Orion 12, Escanaba 3

The Eskymos struggled early against the Dragons. Lake Orion drove in four runs in the first and six in the second for a 10-1 lead after two.

Engebretson earned a RBI single and Lamb drew a bases loaded walk in the third. Mott scored on a Wisler groundout in the second.

Mott, Boutilier and Carly McInerney each finished 2-for-3.

Sophomore Landry Bray took the loss, allowing four earned runs off one hit and five walks in one inning of work. Boutilier allowed eight runs (six earned) off seven hits and a strikeout in three innings of relief.

Escanaba 1, Anchor Bay 0

For the second time on Saturday Esky itself in a pitchers duel. For the second time on Saturday, Esky came up with the clutch play.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Mott blooped the 0-1 pitch into right field for a base hit. Chloe Dubord took over for her as a courtesy runner on the base paths.

Then Lamb stepped up to bat. And she did not disappoint.

Lamb cranked the first pitch she saw for a double to left field. The hit was deep enough to score Dubord from first for the walk-off win.

Mott allowed two hits and two walks while striking out nine in six innings of work. Lamb finished 2-for-3. McInerney and Clara Braun each stole a base.

The Eskymos host Kingsford at 4 p,m. Tuesday.