By Escanaba Daily Press

ESCANABA – Three divisions of Escanaba Little League baseball and softball had mixed results on the first day of their state and national tournaments on Friday.

The ages 15 and 16 Escanaba Senior softball girls won twice at the Central Regional Tournament in South Bend, Indiana, while the 9-10 boys baseball team won its first game of state tournament pool play over West Branch, and the Escanaba 10-11 boys dropped their first game of pool play in their state tournament.

Senior girls

Escanaba’s bats exploded at the right time as it opened the Central Regional tournament with a 15-6 victory over Des Moines, Iowa, and a 23-1 shelling in five innings of Indianapolis.

“We had 51 hits combined over the two games, and they were all legitimate hits,” said Escanaba assistant coach Andy Fields, who is leading the team at this tournament. “It was phenomenal, we really hit the ball today. It was an awesome display.”

In the first game against Iowa, Escanaba fell behind 3-1 after three innings before scoring eight runs in the fourth and six in the sixth.

Katie Ross pitched a complete game in 90 degree heat, striking out eight.

Against Indianapolis, Escanaba got out early, taking a 9-0 lead in the first inning. Esky unleashed 27 hits, led by Ross, Segorski and Mallory Hiney with four hits apiece.

Escanaba now plays 14-time regional champion and two-time World Series champion South Bend, Indiana, at 11 a.m. today, with the winner advancing to the championship game on Sunday in this double-elimination tourney.

9-10 boys

Escanaba jumped out to a 7-0 first-inning lead en route to a 13-3 thumping of West Branch, en route to a 13-3 four-inning victory in the first game of pool play at the state tournament in St. Clair.

Escanaba used four pitchers in the victory – Trent Lawson, Sawyer Lamarch, Brayden Martineau and Casey Bray – as they combined for six strikeouts, one walk and two hits.

Escanaba play West Portage at 12:30 p.m. today.

10-11 boys

Escanaba lost to Western Grand Rapids 13-3 in four innings in pool play at the state tourney in Petoskey.

“It was tough. We were up 3-2 until the third inning, then the wheels fell off,” head coach Cory Mylander said. “We had the bases loaded two or three times and didn’t get anyone in.”

Aiden Mylander, Nathan Howes and Hunter Lancour shared the mound duties.

Escanaba will play Tecumseh at 2 p.m. today.