Escanaba center fielder Clara Braun gets a lead off of third base during a doubleheader against Negaunee on April 23, 2024 at Abrahamson Field in Escanaba. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — When a team’s run differential sits at an even 0 in a three game stretch it may mean a lot of things.

For Escanaba softball, the No. 2 team in all of Division 2, Saturday’s action saw its three games downstate finish with a combined score of 14-14. How did that happen? Here’s what went down.

No. 6 (Division 1) Walled Lake Northern 13, No. 2 (Division 2) Escanaba 0 (five innings)

The Knights pounced on Esky’s Landry Bray, who faced the toughest competition she’s seen so far in her junior campaign. WLN tacked on five runs in the first and four runs in the second and third innings off six hits and two Eskymo errors.

Bray surrendered eight runs (six earned) off two hits and seven walks in an inning of work. Junior Cam Buckley allowed five runs (four earned) off four hits in two innings of work.

Senior Carly Bowden finished 2-for-2 with a double. Senior McKenzie Engebretson added a base hit and senior Grayson LaMarche earned a base hit while striking out the side in an inning of relief work.

No. 2 Escanaba 1, No. 5 Goodrich

The Martians, who also reached the regional championship game in 2024, stayed neck and neck with the Eskymos for a majority of the Top 5 matchup. And with two outs in the bottom of the fifth the Martians had to deal with LaMarche at the plate while senior Maddy Mott stood at second base in scoring position in a scoreless game.

The Martians played it safe. LaMarche drew the intentional walk. But the Martians didn’t plan on junior Chloe Dubord’s desire to swing at the first pitch of her ensuing at bat.

Dubord connected for a base hit. Mott scored from second. The Eskymos claimed a 1-0 lead.

And with LaMarche striking out 12 Martians in a complete game shutout the orange and black earned the win.

Dubord finished 2-for-3 in the win.

No. 2 Escanaba 13, Imlay City 1

Any successful pitcher will tell you that possessing a short-term memory is vital. Bray was a perfect example of that in Saturday’s finale, allowing one earned run off five hits with two walks across four innings in the win.

The Eskymos also want to jump on teams early. Bowden’s two-run home run in the first inning helped that cause. A lead-off home run from senior Clara Braun grew the advantage to 3-0 in the third.

An RBI single from junior Addison Noblet pushed the lead to 4-1 in the fourth. And from there, it was a slugger’s paradise.

LaMarche obliterated a solo home run over the left field fence for a 5-1 lead in the sixth. Senior Maddy Mott came up with a grand slam in the seventh. Buckley added an RBI knock, the senior Katey Lamb delivered the hit death blow, cranking a three-run home run for a 13-1 lead.

Mott finished a flawless 4-for-4 with a grand slam, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored. Lamb finished 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Braun finished 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. LaMarche went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Bowden tallied two hits with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Junior Harlee Coolman earned a double. Buckley struck out three across three hitless innings of relief.

What’s next

The Eskymos stay on the road for a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kingsford.