The 2025 Escanaba softball team celebrates a MHSAA Division 2 state quarterfinal victory against Hudsonville Unity Christian on June 10, 2025 at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

MOUNT PLEASANT — It took an extra inning, but No. 1 Escanaba softball punched its ticket to the Division 2 state semifinal round for the first time since 2022.

The Eskymos conquered No. 2 Hudsonville Unity Christian 3-0 in eight innings on Tuesday at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University. 

The Eskymos will face Richmond at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University. Richmond conquered Goodrich 6-0.

“We went in confident,” senior Clara Braun said. “We can hit. That’s just our mindset – go in, swing the bat and make contact.”

Braun stepped up for arguably the biggest at bat of her life. Bases loaded, two outs, top of the eighth inning in a 0-0 game. One simple base hit gives the Eskymos the lead.

With the count at 2-0 she connected for a single up the middle for a base hit. Juniors Harlee Coolman and Mary Kate Tourangeau, who got on base off a single and being hit by a pitch, respectively, scored. Freshman Abby Derkos, courtesy running for Grayson LaMarche, advanced to third as Braun reached second on the throw to home plate. The Eskymos led 2-0.

“I trust her bat. She’s been really good all year,” Esky skipper Andy Fields said of Braun. “She has seven home runs and can get a bunt down with the best of them. She’s been our anchor all year, and today she came through. 

“She did what she’s done all year.”

Senior Katey Lamb appeared to ground out to shortstop Molly Versluis on the ensuing at bat, but the ball was bobbled. There was no attempt to throw to first. Derkos, who shot to home plate on contact like a cannonball fired on a pirate ship, scored for a 3-0 lead.

And while the Crusaders did get a two-out single in the bottom of the eight, they failed to get anything off LaMarche, who ultimately outdueled Unity Christian’s Mackenzie Cammenga. Sydney Overweg grounded out to second baseman Harlee Coolman, who threw to first base for the force out and the win. 

LaMarche, the soon to be Michigan Wolverine, allowed two hits and struckout 14 across eight shutout innings. 

“She loves this stage,” Fields said of LaMarche. “She’s everything a coach would want, and it’s coming down to the end with her. I love watching her pitch because she keeps us in games. She keeps us in games when we’re not hitting. It took us eight innings to get going today. We got it going, and then she won it for us.”

The Crusaders did not have a runner in scoring position at any point on Tuesday. Cammenga allowed three earned runs off three hits and 10 strikeouts.

But Tuesday’s win wasn’t solely on Braun’s heroics and yet another dominating start from LaMarche. The Eskymos defense shined when they needed to the most.

Overweg led off the bottom of the third with a single to right field. Two pitches later she attempted to steal second base.

Senior catcher Carly Bowden has other plans. She fired a pinpoint throw to second to narrowly throw our Overweg and extinguish any threat.

Esky’s outfield devoured every fly ball that came its way, and in a similar fashion to Joey Chestnut devouring hot dogs on the Fourth of July.

“They were incredible today,” LaMarche said of the Eskymos’ defensive efforts. “Everyone made an amazing play.”

Escanaba senior Clara Braun celebrates at second base after driving in two runs during a MHSAA Division 2 state quarterfinal game against Hudsonville Unity Christian on June 10, 2025 at Margo Jonker Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg is a multi-time award-winning sports writer and photographer who proudly serves as sports editor for The Daily Press and the Upper Peninsula sports scene. He can be reached at mvosburg@dailypress.net. Follow him on Instagram (@themantheycallmitch) and on X (@realmitchvburg).