LAKE LINDEN - There must be something in that Portage Lake water.
For the second time in as many days, a PL Little League all-star squad treated parents, siblings and those ever-supportive grandparents to a dramatic last inning victory over a District 11 tournament opponent, this time Marquette. The Portage Lake Major (11-12 years old) squad overcame an early five-run deficit with a seven-run third inning Tuesday, and then won in walk-off fashion with a bases-loaded Jaden Janke single in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure a 9-8 victory and spot in the championship game Thursday.
This came on the heels of the Portage Lake Minor All-Stars earning their own spot in the District 11 championship game Monday after a nine-run sixth inning erased a four-run deficit against Negaunee before falling to Ishpeming Tuesday.
Taking advantage of eight walks and 10 bases from wild pitches, Portage Lake needed just nine hits in the contest to score the nine runs. Carson Turner, the starting pitcher for PL, provided the spark that led to the offensive fire with his third home run in three games - which just so happened to be his first three home runs of the season.