Escanaba junior Lennox Peacock winds up to deliver a pitch during a game against Gladstone on April 26, 2025 at Don Olsen Field in Gladstone. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — With the bases loaded, two outs and a 1-0 lead at hand Escanaba junior Brian Boutilier had the opportunity to blow a rivalry game against Gladstone wide open in the top of the fourth inning.

On the fourth pitch of his at bat against Braves senior Isaac Ketchum, who was in the thick of a pitcher’s duel against Esky junior Lennox Peacock at the time, Boutlier drove the ball deep into the gap in left center field.

Gavin Wagner, Alex Ison and Bryce Bichler all scored off the timely two-bagger. It was also the extra-base hit which broke the game wide open.

“That really put us on the bard,” Esky sophomore Brody Ison said of Boutilier’s double. “We just kept building off of that.”

Escanaba junior Brian Boutilier celebrates mashing a three-run double during a game against Gladstone on April 26, 2025 at Don Olsen Field in Gladstone. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

The Eskymos tacked on three more in the fourth, scored seven in the fifth and capitalized on seven Gladstone errors to claim a 14-0 mercy win in five innings.

“We did pretty good,” Esky sophomore catcher Mikaiden Hughes said. “I wish we could have jumped on them earlier. But once we start jumping on pitchers early I think we’ll be unstoppable.”

Peacock brought his A game to Don Olsen Field on Saturday. By the time the bottom of the fifth rolled around the Braves had yet to record a base hit. In fact, the only two base runners Gladstone had up to that point were Gavin Frossard, who took a pitch to the hand, and Landon VanTassell, who took a pitch somewhere between his back and left scapula.

And with one out to go in the bottom of the fifth Peacock, who struckout 12 batters up to this point, was one batter away from completing his no-hitter. All that stood in his way was Braves senior Brett Seger, who returned to the Braves roster this season after opting not to play the previous few seasons.

And while Seger is better known as the starting center on the football team and a whale of a percussionist in the band, who showed no fear in his second and final at bat of the game. He swung mightily at a first-pitch fastball. His hands got around just in time, connecting on a shallow bleeder which landed in shallow territory on the left field grass.

Seger came through with the Braves lone hit of the game. Peacock’s bid for a no-hitter was over.

“It was tough to give it up, but it happens,” Peacock said. “I thought about throwing an off-speed pitch to start, but he jumped on a fastball. I have to give him his props. Not much you can do about it.”

VanTassell fought Peacock to a full count in the ensuing at bat, but was left frozen in the batter’s box looking at strike three to end the game.

Peacock fanned 13 Braves across five innings of work.

“He’s awesome,” Hughes said of Peacock. “He’s only a junior and he’s really good. I mean, catching for him is honestly an honor.”

Ketchum took the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) off seven hits with seven strikeouts across 3 2/3 innings of work. Austin Pepin surrendered seven unearned runs off three hits and two walks in 1/3 innings of relief. Nate Beauchamp walked one and struck out three in an inning of relief.

“This game is over. We have to take things that we can learn from and get better because nobody is going to feel sorry for us,” Braves skipper Tyler Swanson said. “We have to take it as an opportunity to get it out of our system, get better, move on and come to compete the next time we’re out here.”

Brosy Ison finished 3-of-4 from the plate with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored for the Eskymos. Junior Ashton Rymkos went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Sophomore Hughes finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Max LeDuc blasted a double. Peacock, Bichler and Alex Ison each earned a base hit.

“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg is a multi-time award-winning sports writer and photographer who proudly serves as sports editor for The Daily Press (Escanaba). He can be reached at mvosburg@dailypress.net. Follow him on Instagram (@themantheycallmitch) and on X (@realmitchvburg).