Adam Hinch Daily Press
Escanaba’s Eli Gardner delivers a pitch in Tuesday’s game against Kingsford
ESCANABA — Escanaba’s Eli Gardner stayed ahead of hitters in Esky’s 3-2 win over Kingsford on a walk-off single by Bon Lachance.
Eli Gardner had a great day on the mound for the Eskymos. Gardner allowed only two runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts and only 84 pitches. “I was throwing fastballs to get ahead of hitters and using breaking balls to get the outs. We had zero errors today and the team played good defense behind me,” Gardner said.
Bon LaChance didn’t have his best day at the plate, but came up big at the end of the game when the team really needed it. “Awesome to get a win with a walk-off on a regular day it might be a out but i just drove it as hard as i can,” LaChance said.
Kingsford got the first run of the day on a solo home run by Andres Finley. “I hit the fence four or five times this season and with the wind blowing out i just drove it and got it out,” Finley said.
The Eskymos got their first run of the game on a RBI Single by Nick Chiu that tied the game at one. “I felt really good at the plate again today im making good contact and getting good results,” Chiu said.
Esky broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth inning on a RBI double by Junior Ben Johnson to give Esky a 2-1 lead. “After the loss last Wednesday this team has a new attitude we just have to keep this going the rest of the season and into districts,” Johnson said.
Kingsford would tie the game up again at two in the top of the seventh inning on a RBI single by Henry McRoberts. “These are both very good teams that compete hard im sure we will play them again in districts,” McRoberts said.
Escanaba would pick up the win in the bottom of the seventh on a single by LaChance that brought Nolan Bink home for the winning run. “Its two really good team both games have been one run games. Eli was great on the mound he was in control and making the pitches with accuracy. Bon got the hit when i counted he started off slow but really came through when we needed him,” said Eskymos Coach Scott Hanson.”
“This was a tough game, but Escanaba is a good team and you gotta tip your cap to them they have a great program here,” said Kinsford coach Joe Kriegl.
The Eskymos wrap up conference play against Marquette on Tuesday in a Great Northern Conference game. Esky can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a win over Marquette on Tuesday.
2023 GNC Standings
Gladstone Braves 5-2
Escanaba Eskymos 5-2
Marquette Redman 3-2
Kingsford Flivers 2-4
Menominee Maroons 0-5
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