Escanaba sophomore Ashton Rymkos (left) connects with a pitch during a game against Superior Central on May 20, 2024 at Al Ness Field in Escanaba. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

ESCANABA –An explosive second inning and a combined one-hitter from Nick Chiu and Ashton Rymkos highlight Escanaba baseball’s 8-1 win over Superior Central on Monday at Al Ness Field.

“We did some nice things,” Esky coach Scott Hanson said. “Pitching from Nick Chiu and Ashton Rymkos was very good. Glad to get back on track with a win starting a very important week for us.”

The Eskymos opened the flood gates in an anti-climatic way. Ben Johnson, Brody Ison and Ashton Rymkos all drew walks to start the second stanza. Johnson scored on a passed ball and Reese Korhonen drew a walk to keep the bases loaded with a 1-0 lead.

Ison scored on a passed ball to balloon the lead to 2-0 as Nolan Bink looked at strike three for the inning’s first out. A RBI single from Chase Cloutier opened the Eskymo lead to 3-0.

Eli Gardner struck out swinging for the second out, but Esky remained primed to do damage.

Mikaiden Hughes belted a two-run double. Bon LaChance continued to add on to his career RBI and double record with a RBI double. Johnson drew his second walk of the frame, and Ison belted an two-run single to take an 8-0 lead.

Despite an Esky error to start the bottom half of the inning, the damage was limited thanks to a double play and a groundout.

The Cougars scratched across a run off a RBI fielder’s choice from Logan Frusti.

Chiu earned the win, allowing one hit, one walk and one strikeout n three shutout innings. Rymkos allowed one earned run with four walk and three strikeouts across four hitless innings of relief. Johnson finished 0-for-2 with three stolen bases, two walks and two runs scored. Hughes finished 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Cloutier finished 1-for-3 with a stolen base, RBI and run scored. LaChance finished 1-fo-3 with a double and a RBI. Lennox Peackcok and Taylor Asgaard added a base hit each.

The Eskymos drew seven walks and struck out four times.

Esky trips to face Gladstone for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. this afternoon and hosts Norway at 7 p.m. Thursday.