Just too much: Escanaba’s Mikey D’s Beer Cave blanks Marquette County Mavericks in Superiorland Baseball League playoff semifinals
Marquette County Mavericks pitcher Brenten Belanger readies to deliver in the first inning after conceding a home run to Mikey D’s Beer Cave during a Superiorland Baseball League playoff semifinal game played at the Forsyth Township Ball Park Complex in Gwinn on Monday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)
Mickey D’s Beer Cave players celebrate after Mason Korhonen, at center wearing No. 7, returns to the dugout after hitting a three-run homer to extend their lead to 7-0 during a Superiorland Baseball League playoff semifinal game played against the Marquette County Mavericks at the Forsyth Township Ball Park Complex in Gwinn on Monday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)
James Larsen II readies for a pitch in the top of the second inning as he looks to get his team even as the Marquette County Mavericks trailed 2-1 at the time in this Superiorland Baseball League game played against Hubbards Marsh-The Band at the Irontown Field in Negaunee on Aug. 5. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)
Marquette County Mavericks pitcher Brenten Belanger readies to deliver in the first inning after conceding a home run to Mikey D’s Beer Cave during a Superiorland Baseball League playoff semifinal game played at the Forsyth Township Ball Park Complex in Gwinn on Monday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)
Mickey D’s Beer Cave players celebrate after Mason Korhonen, at center wearing No. 7, returns to the dugout after hitting a three-run homer to extend their lead to 7-0 during a Superiorland Baseball League playoff semifinal game played against the Marquette County Mavericks at the Forsyth Township Ball Park Complex in Gwinn on Monday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)
James Larsen II readies for a pitch in the top of the second inning as he looks to get his team even as the Marquette County Mavericks trailed 2-1 at the time in this Superiorland Baseball League game played against Hubbards Marsh-The Band at the Irontown Field in Negaunee on Aug. 5. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)
Trending
GWINN -- The dream of another playoff title was dashed for the Marquette County Mavericks on Monday evening.
The upstart Mikey D's Beer Cave of Escanaba put on a dominant performance for a 10-0 victory in the Superiorland Baseball League's semifinals at the Forsyth Township Ball Park Complex.
Afterward, Mavericks manager James Larsen II reflected on the tough loss.
"Definitely the low point in our eight-year existence," he said. "But that's baseball.
"They played a great game. Anytime we started to get something going offensively, they snuffed it out. Hats off to them."
From the first pitch, the Esky team took control as their bats came alive right away.
In the top of the first inning, Mikey's Ben Snyder blasted a two-run home run, setting the tone for what would be a relentless display of offense. Escanaba quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead and never looked back.
The Mavericks struggled to find their footing, as their bats were silenced by Escanaba pitcher Elliot Danhoff, who was in complete command throughout.
"Elliot pitched a heck of a game," said Snyder, also his team's manager. "He was in the strike zone, in command early, and then our bats were there to support him.
"We hit the ball well, hit gaps, and it was a great team win."
Danhoff's precision and power on the mound led to five strikeouts in the first three innings, shutting down any hopes the "home" squad had of mounting a comeback.
The game took a decisive turn in the third when Mason Korhonen crushed another homer for Mikey's, this one of the three-run variety, that helped extend Escanaba's lead to 7-0. The Beer Cavers continued to pile on runs, with the Mavericks unable to respond.
Despite some flashes of hope, including a hit by Justin Kirby and a stolen base by Jack Siik, the Mavs' offense couldn't overcome the southern visitors' dominant pitching and defense.
In the fourth, Esky's offensive momentum continue to grow. Mikey's loaded the bases and capitalized on the Mavs' mistakes to make it 10-0. Now on the brink of elimination, the Marquetters were unable to gather the runs needed to extend the game.
The Superiorland playoff championship game will be held at 6:30 p.m. EDT at northern Dickinson County's Felch Memorial Field on Monday with the Channing Railroaders hosting Mikey D's.
Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.