ESCANABA — The Marinette Legion baseball team’s annual pilgrimage to the Gregg Johnson/Al Erickson Memorial Tournament was short lived, as a lack of offense and Mother Nature conspired against Post 39 in Escanaba.
Marinette kicked off the tournament on the wrong foot, coming up short against Niagara 4-3, before suffering a 4-0 shutout loss at the hands of Plover in game two.
In both contests, Post 39 struggled to put good wood on the baseball, as Marinette was able to muster a scant three hits in both games.
Post 39 was scheduled to battle Escanaba and Gladstone in day two of tournament play on Saturday, but with rain and thunderstorms rolling through the Upper Peninsula, the decision was made to cancel the day’s games, leaving Marinette on the outside looking in on Sunday’s semifinal and championship tilts.
Game one saw Marinette load the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth inning before RBI-singles from Justin Kruse and JJ Brand put Post 39 on top 3-0.
Niagara responded with a four-run outburst in the bottom of the frame, with Mason Richtig, Blake Flaminio, Gavin Neuens and Logan Grondin all crossing home plate to put Marinette in a one-run hole.
Kolton Goldsmith led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk but Chase MacGregor grounded into a double play to quickly put Marinette behind the 8-ball, while Weston Hanson went down swinging to end the game.
Ethan Doubek was the losing pitcher against Niagara after issuing six walks and giving up three hits and four runs, three of which were earned, while hitting two batters and striking out another four.
Plover continued Post 39’s woes after Darren Grabski belted a two-run single in the top of the fourth.
Adam Noskowiak and Lucas Haemmerle crossed home plate in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, as the Black Sox seized a 4-0 cushion.
Joseph Schiszik did the rest for Plover on the mound, retiring Logan Marvin, Braeden Houston and Brand in order to secure the victory.
Brand, MacGregor and Doubek all collected base knocks for Post 39 but Marinette struggled to hit with runners in scoring position against Plover, going 0-for-2 with ducks on the pond.
Kruse was saddled with the loss after tossing six-and-one-third innings, punching out seven and walking three while allowing four hits and four runs (three earned).
Due up
Marinette: Post 39 (1-6 overall) will lick their wounds until Friday, when Marinette hosts the annual Firecracker Tournament at Pedersen Ball Park.
Niagara 4 — Marinette 3
Niagara 000 004 x — 4
Marinette 000 003 0 — 3
WP: Mason Richtig 6IP, 3H, 6BB, 4R, 3ER, 6K
LP: Doubek 6 1/3IP, 3H, 6BB, 4R, 3ER, 4K
Leading hitters (Marinette): Hanson 1x2, R, 2B, BB; Kruse 1x3; Brand 1x3; Logan Kurth 0x1, R, BB, HBP
Plover 4 — Marinette 0
Plover 000 201 1 — 4
Marinette 000 000 0 — 0
WP: Schiszik 7IP, 3H, 2BB, 2K
LP: Kruse 6 1/3IP, 4H, 3BB, 4R, 3ER, 7K
Leading hitters (Marinette): MacGregor 1x3; Doubek 1x3; Brand 1x3
2024 Firecracker Tournament schedule
Pool A: Marinette, Menominee, Escanaba, Watertown
Pool B: Manitowoc, Green Bay Southwest, Gladstone, Sault Ste. Marie
Friday
Games take place at Dale Minzlaff Field
Green Bay Southwest vs Gladstone, noon
Manitowoc vs Sault Ste. Marie, 2:30 p.m.
Watertown vs Menominee, 5 p.m.
Escanaba vs Marinette, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Gladstone vs Sault Ste. Marie at Haase Field, 10 a.m.
Manitowoc vs Green Bay Southwest at Dale Minzlaff Field, 11 a.m.
Menominee vs Escanaba at Haase Field, 12:30 p.m.
Marinette vs Watertown at Dale Minzlaff Field, 1:30 p.m.
Green Bay Southwest vs Sault Ste. Marie at Haase Field, 3 p.m.
Manitowoc vs Gladstone at Dale Minzlaff Field, 4 p.m.
Escanaba vs Watertown at Haase Field, 5:30 p.m.
Marinette vs Menominee at Dale Minzlaff Field, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday
Pool A No. 4-seed vs Pool B No. 4 seed at Haase Field, 10 a.m.
Pool A No. 3-seed vs Pool B No. 4-seed at Dale Minzlaff Field, 10:30 a.m.
Pool A No. 2-seed vs Pool B. No. 2-seed at Dale Minzlaff Field, 12:30 p.m.
Championship game
Pool A No. 1-seed vs Pool B No. 1-seed at Dale Minzlaff Field, 1 p.m.
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