Escanaba junior Addison Noblet secures a fly ball during a MHSAA Division 2 state semifinal game against Richmond on June 12, 2025 at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

EAST LANSING — The clock struck midnight on No. 1 Escanaba softball’s 2025 campaign.

Esky fell 2-0 to No. 7 Richmond in the state semifinal round Thursday at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.

The Eskymos finished the season with an overall record of 40-5 and reached the final four for the first time since 2022.

With one out and runners on second and third for the Blue Devils, catcher Ashley Stafford grounded out to first base for the inning’s second out. Esky first baseman McKenzie Engebretson opted to fire to third base in hopes of getting the innings third out. Her throw was offline.

Senior Katey Lamb made a diving play, but was ultimately called for obstruction as the ball sailed into foul territory. Both Richmond base runners scored, the only two runs senior Grayson LaMarche allowed all postseason.

The Eskymos mustered one hit in the loss. Engebretson led off the bottom of the fifth with a single up the gut. Freshman Abby Derkos was tapped to be a pinch runner with junior Harlee Coolman up to bat. 

Coolman took the first pitch for a strike. Stafford immediately fired the ball down to first base. Derkos did not get back in time. She was tagged out. Coolman struck out and senior Maddy Mott flew out to end the fifth.

“She mixed (her pitches) really well,” Esky skipper Andy Fields of Richmond’s Katie Shiboy’s efforts in the circle. “It wasn’t anything we haven’t seen this year, but she was an excellent locator. It was tough to get a read on what she was doing.”

LaMarche, in her final start for the Eskymos, allowed two unearned runs off three hits with three walks and 13 strikeouts in a losing effort. Shuboy earned the win, walking one and striking out 12 in a complete game shutout.

Thursday marked the final game for LaMarche, Engebretson, Mott, Clara Braun, Katey Lamb and Carly Bowden. LaMarche and Bowden were four-year starters for the orange and black.

“I’m going to remember them for their growth,” Fields said. “They’ve come so far. They became leaders. I’m so excited for what they do with the rest of their lives, because they are great kids.”