Escanaba junior Addison Noblet (right) celebrates a two-run double with seniors Grayson LaMarche (5) and Katey Lamb to win game one of a doubleheader against Gladstone on May 20, 2025 at Abrahamson Field in Escanaba. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Softball, more times than not, requires math and science.

Whether it’s launch angles in the batter’s box or contorting one’s body to create the precise mechanics in the pitcher’s circle, math and science are required to create the correct equation for greatness. Even the scientific method can be applied in nearly every scenario.

Tuesday’s doubleheader had its own equation. Elite pitching, timely hitting and copious amounts of emotion. It’s the correct equation whenever Gladstone and Escanaba collide on the softball field. Factor in the latter’s senior night festivities and the emotion factor brought the equation to an all-time high.

In the end the Eskymos, the No. 3 team in Division 2, and the Braves, the No. 4 team in Division 3, split their final meeting of the 2025 season.

Here’s what went down.

Game one

Escanaba 10, Gladstone 0 (five innings)

The Eskymos (33-4) and Braves (24-4) were dead even entering the bottom of the third. Schone got Addison Noblet and Clara Braun out via groundout. Then a routine fly ball to left field from senior Grayson LaMarche was dropped. A pop fly between second base and right field landed on the grass.

Two runners aboard. Two outs. And senior Katey Lamb came up to bat.

Lamb, a First Team All-State selection in 2024, had belted three grand slams, eight hits and 17 RBIs in her last four games. To say she was red hot entering the game was an understatement.

She cranked the first pitch she saw over the fence in right field for a three-run home run and a 3-0 Esky lead.

The long ball kept flying for the Eskymos. Junior Harlee Coolman ripped a lead-off home run in the fourth, her second in two days.

“It’s huge,” Esky coach Andy Field said of Coolman’s last two days. “She’s got a big bat, as you saw tonight. She’ll pound balls over the fence with the best of them.”

Braun added a two-run home run later in the frame for a 6-0 lead after four.

Coolman drove in two more off a single in the sixth, and Noblet ripped a two-run single two batters later for a five-inning run rule win.

Senior Carly Bowden finished 2-for-3 with a double. LaMarche earned the win, allowing two hits and striking out nine across five innings.

Gladstone senior Tia Schone was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) off five hits with a walk and three strikeouts and earned a hit. Lauren Sundquist also earned a base hit.

Escanaba senior Grayson LaMarche (left) gives a purple flower to Gladstone senior Lauren Sundquist on May 21, 2025 at Abrahamson Field in Escanaba. The Eskymos, who held their senior night on this day, also honored Gladstone’s four seniors. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

Game two

Gladstone 5, Escanaba 2

No matter what the Eskymos attempted to do, the emotions which poured out like flood waters in a hurricane took time to settle down. It proved to be detrimental for the orange and black.

The Braves took full advantage. They never trailed in Tuesday’s finale.

“We got a little too emotional in between games, and that’s on me for scheduling (senior night) on this night in an emotional game (against Gladstone),” Fields said. “I’m aware of that. I told the girls that it’s something in the future we’ll have to change our minds on.”

Gladstone jumped ahead 3-0 in the third inning thanks to a solo home run from Lauren Sundquist and a two-run double from Maddy Sundquist. Lamb stayed hot with a two-run double in the bottom half of the inning, but it’s all the Braves could muster.

And once the Braves had control of the game Schone returned to the circle. She allowed three hits and struck out four, including a strikeout to Chloe Dubord on a filthy changeup to end the game.

“Our energy was way better,” Braves skipper Scott Herioux said. “Obviously we stayed away from any of the long balls that they snowballed us with in the first game.”

Lauren Sundquist added an RBI two-bagger in the fifth and scored in the seventh when Bowden’s pick-off attempt to third base sailed into the left field grass.The Braves have now earned wins over No. 1 Gaylord and No. 3 Escanaba in the last four days.

“I feel like we’re peaking at the right time,” Herioux said. “We still have a lot more work to do. It seems like we’re starting to get to where we need to be.”

McKenzie Engebretson finished 3-for-3 from the plate. LaMarche was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) off 10 hits with a walk and 12 strikeouts.

Freshman Lauren Pare earned the win, allowing two unearned runs off four hits with four strikeouts across four innings of work.

Lauren Sundquist finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Schone finished 3-for-4 and Maddy Sundquist went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Escanaba senior Carly Bowden (right) and Becca Piron-Campbell pose for a photo on May 20, 2025 at Abrahamson Field in Escanaba. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

Bowden receives scholarship

The second annual Becca Piron Memorial Scholarship received its recipient in between games on Tuesday. After outfielder Taylor Forvilly earned the $1,000 scholarship in 2024, the scholarship was given from catcher to catcher.

Senior Carly Bowden was the recipient of the 2025 scholarship. Bowden, a four-year starter for the orange and black, has caught all but a few innings this season.

And much like Piron, a catcher for the Eskymos who went on to play at Lansing Community College and Ferris State University after graduating from Escanaba in 2015, Bowden’s impact on the program has been felt.

“She’s been a true leader,” Fields said of Bowden. “Today, she left with a smile on her face. She’s one of the biggest heartbeats on this team. She’s left her heart and soul on the field.”

What’s next

Gladstone hosts Menominee for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Eskymos finish their regular season with a doubleheader against Kingsford at 4 p.m. Thursday.