Escanaba’s Cannon Arnt sprints toward third base during a game against Marquette on April 30, 2024 at Al Ness Field in Escanaba. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GREEN BAY — A two-hour trip down U.S. 41 saw Escanaba baseball strand 11 runners in a 5-2 loss to Green Bay Preble on Wednesday.

The Hornets jumped to a quick 4-0 lead off a pair of wild pitches, a RBI single and a RBI double in the first. Esky managed to load the bases with two outs after sophomore Lennox Peacock wore a 3-2 pitch, but Nick Chiu flew out to right to end the threat.

The Eskymos (12-11) loaded the bases with two outs in the third after sophomore Ashtn Rymkos was hit by a pitch, but freshman Mikaiden Hughes popped up to first base to strand three ducks on the pond down 4-0.

The Hornets expanded their lead to 5-0. The Eskymos connected with a timely hit when Chiu cranked a 2-2 pitch to right field, scoring freshman Brody Ison from third to pull within four. Chase Cloutier, who was thrown out at home in the first, Eli Gardner and Ben Johnson were retired in order to strand two runners in scoring position.

Senior Bon LaChance opened the fifth with a double, and scored two batters later off a RBI sacrifice fly from Hughes to shave the deficit to 5-2, but another runner was stranded to end the fifth.

Esky put Gardner and Johnson on base to start the seventh via walk and single, respectively. LaChance belted a single in the ensuing at-bat, but Gardner was thrown out trying to score from second. Rymkos swung and missed at a 3-2 pitch and Hughes lined out to left to end the game.

Gardner took the loss, allowing five runs off eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Johnson struckout two in 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief.

LaChance finished 2-for-4 with a double. Cloutier finished 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and a walk. Ison finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Johnson, Rymkos, Hughes and Chiu each earned a base hit.

The Eskymos are idle until Saturday for a road doubleheader against Muskegon Mona Shores.