Esky regroups, wins
POSTED: May 17, 2008
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After giving up three quick runs, the Eskymos regrouped and pulled out an 8-3 baseball victory at Al Ness Field. Jordan LeMire got stronger as the game moved along and picked up the victory, giving up seven hits, with five coming as Alpena built a 3-0 lead.
“The guys still had confidence and focus to come back,” said Escanaba manager Don Lauscher. “It shows how our team is maturing.”
LeMire had two strikeouts, which were hard to come by because the Wildcats were swinging — and making contact — on his opening tosses.
“They played small ball early to get the lead and it paid off for them,” said Lauscher.
“They came out aggressively and Jordan started tentatively. They got a couple of quick bunts down. After the second inning Jordan settled down and pitched a good game.
“His curve ball started working and his velocity increased,” said Lauscher. “He sure was bringing it in the fifth and sixth innings.”
The Eskymos scored a run in the third and tied the game with two runs in the fourth before erupting for five runs in the sixth.
Tony Peacock had a solo home run in the fourth, then Travis Villeneuve singled and scored the tying run on Tony Vandermissen’s single.
In the sixth, Chris Hillesheim started the winning rally when he was hit by a pitch. Doubles by Peacock and Brent Johnson and a walk to Villeneuve set up a three-run home run by Garrick Fisher to conclude the scoring.
“The bottom of the order really helped us. It is nice to see Tony Peacock and Tony Vandermissen start to hit the ball,” said Lauscher.
The Eskymos had 10 hits, with Vandermissen getting two.
Both teams return to Al Ness Field today for the Bink’s Coca Cola Invitational. Alpena plays Gladstone at 10 a.m. and Escanaba meets Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. at 12:30. The two losers play about 3 p.m. and the two winners meet about 5:30.
