Mikey D’s Beer Cave pitcher Scott Hiller hurls a pitch during a game against the Mavericks on July 21, 2025 at Al Ness Field in Escanaba. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Pitching held the key to victory for Mikey D’s Beer Cave here Monday night as it defeated the Marquette County Mavericks 3-0 in a Superiorland League baseball game.

Elliot Danhoff fired a one-hitter and struck out 13, helping the home team improve to 5-1 and stay within a game of league-leading Channing. The Mavericks are 2-3.

Mikey D’s also beat the Mavericks 6-1 at Al Ness Field Monday in a game suspended in the fourth inning due to heavy rainfall at Negaunee June 30.

Scott Hiller, grandson of former Detroit Tigers pitcher John Hiller, pitched 2â…” frames in relief of Danhoff, who was the starter three weeks ago.

“I was able to mix my fastball and curveball,” Scott said. “Getting comfortable and back into a game setting was the most challenging part. I honestly didn’t know it was 6-0 when the game got restarted. I was more comfortable knowing we were still up by five runs after they scored their run.”

Danhoff, who walked two in Monday’s nightcap, appeared to get strong as the game progressed.

“He pitched quite well,” Mavericks’ manager James Larsen said. “We knew what we were getting into. Although, it’s fun to come down here. This has been a weird year. It seems like every other game we get rained out.”

Jake LaFave scored the first run on a passed ball in the fourth inning. Danhoff then gave the local team a two-run lead on Hiller’s ground out to the second-baseman.

Nick Javurek, who reached on a throwing error in the fifth, scored the final run on Danhoff’s grounder to the shortstop (Doug Turnbull).

Brenton Ballanger, who worked four frames, took the loss. He fanned five, walked one and allowed two runs on three hits.

Danhoff got two of Mikey D’s five hits in the contest.

Larsen, who also played centerfield, got the lone hit for the Mavericks in the third inning when they left baserunners on second and third. They also stranded a pair in the opening frame.

“Brent pitched well,” he said. “When you get that kind of an effort and good opportunities, you’ve got to execute.”

Ben Snyder rapped a two-run homer in a six-run third inning at Negaunee, enabling Mikey D’s to take a six-run advantage into Monday’s restart.

This also marked the farewell appearance for Scott Hiller, who moved to Florida Tuesday where he will resume his baseball career on a partial scholarship at a small college.

“I watched Scott play since he was very young,” John Hiller said. “He hasn’t really pitched that much. I think he’s just starting to learn how to pitch. I was 19 when I started. I told him to ‘follow your dream.'”

Hiller, who now lives in Iron Mountain, was with the Tigers from 1965-76, but was on the disabled list in 1971. He compiled a 65-51 record and recorded 783 strikeouts and a 2.53 earned run average through 11 seasons.

Mikey D’s hosts Negaunee-based Hubbard’s Marsh Monday before closing its regular season in a road contest against the Mavericks.