Denise Porath a friend of Candy Swetkis, throws the first pitch at the Inaugural Candy Swetkis Memorial Softball Tournament on May 4, 2024 at Abrahamson Field. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — The Escanaba Eskymos enjoyed a solid day on the softball diamond here Saturday, finishing 2-1 in the inaugural Candy Swetkis Strikefest Memorial tournament.

Esky, which secured third place with 9-2 victory over Millington, opened with a 15-0 triumph over Bark River-Harris in four innings before dropping a 5-4 decision to Three Rivers.

Undefeated Three Rivers then defeated previously unbeaten Negaunee 7-1 in the championship game.

The Eskymos scored three runs apiece in the third and fourth innings for a 7-2 advantage over Millington.

Anna Boutilier scored Esky’s first run on a fielding error in the opening frame.

In the third, the Eskymos took advantage of an error and scored their third run on Harlee Cooman’s single to center.

Coolman then made it 4-0 on Katey Lamb’s ground out to second.

After the Cardinals scored twice in their half of the third, Esky’s McKenzie Engebretson led off the fourth with a home run to center for a 5-2 cushion.

The Eskymos then raised their advantage to five Coolman’s two-run double to left.

“We had a pretty good day,” Esky coach Andy Fields said. “We hit the ball well and our pitching was phenomenal in all three games. Our pitchers are gaining confidence everyday.”

Clara Braun gave the Eskymos an 8-2 advantage on McInerney’s sacrifice fly to left in the sixth and added a run Engebretson’s double to center in the seventh.

Engebretson finished 4-for-4. Coolman added three hits and drove in three runs and McInerney had two hits.

Maddy Mott and Landry Bray shared the mound duties. Mott struck out four, walked one and gave up two runs on four hits through three frames. Bray fanned five, walked two and allowed two hits in four innings of relief.

Esky and Three Rivers were tied at three after five innings before the Wildcats scored twice for a 5-3 lead in the sixth.

Braun’s single to left-center brought the Eskymos within a run in their half of the sixth before the game was stopped due to the time limit.

Decker, who went the distance, got the victory. She struck out six, walked five and gave up six hits.

Ava Forman got two hits and Decker drove in two runs for the Wildcats, who finished with five hits and didn’t commit any errors.

Mott took the loss while striking out five and walking four.

Coolman, Engebretson, Braun and Carly Bowden drove in runs for the Eskymos.

“Three Rivers had a real good pitcher,” Fields said. “It’s coming together. That game could have gone either way. It came down to one or two plays.”

Bray threw a no-hitter, whiffed six and walked two against BR-H.

Esky scored five times in the second frame and added eight runs in the third.

Bowden got three hits, including a solo shot to left, in the second and a pair of singles in the third.

Coolman ripped a two-run double. Bray added a two-run single and Emma Wisler and McInerney added RBI singles in the third.

In the second. Taylor Forvilly clubbed a two-run double and Mott got an RBI single.

Esky finished with 14 hits off losing pitcher Abbie Ingersoll, who gave just one walk.

“I think some of our players were a little awestruck,” BR-H coach Rob Arndt said. “We have a very young team. We start three seniors. The rest are freshmen and sophomores. Going up against Escanaba and other Division 2 teams can be a little intimidating for young players. Although, this helps you know what you need to work on. We just didn’t hit the ball today.”

The Broncos also fell to Three Rivers 27-0 and Kingsford 9-1.

Esky (11-4) hosts Kingsford in doubleheader at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Broncos (8-11) travel to Hancock for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Friday.