Esky keeps Red Wave under wraps for shutout victory

MENOMINEE — Two days after amassing 16 hits and 23 runs in a doubleheader victory over Marquette, the Menominee Legion baseball team was kept in check in a 3-0 loss to Escanaba on Wednesday.

Offense was in short supply for both teams, with Esky narrowly out-hitting the Red Wave by a 3-to-2 margin.

Neither squad was able to break through on the scoreboard until the top of the fifth inning, when Menominee’s Conner Schroeder plucked Jacob Mileski with a pitch to lead off the frame.

Mileski swiped second base to move into scoring position and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Nick Chiu before scoring on a wild pitch to put Esky on top 1-0.

Escanaba (2-3) continued to apply pressure in its half of the sixth after Adrian Mercier worked a leadoff walk before moving up to second on another wild pitch.

An error allowed Bon LaChance to get on base and the first baseman quickly stole second to give Esky a pair of runners in scoring position.

Ashton Rymkos cashed in with a sac-fly that allowed Mercier to score before Bryce Blixt plated LaChance with an RBI-groundout as Esky’s lead swelled to 3-0.

Menominee (6-7) went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and grounded into two rally-killing double plays in the fifth and sixth innings.

Chase Cloutier needed just four pitches to retire the side and preserve the win for Escanaba in the bottom of the seventh.

Cloutier tossed 65 pitches in the winning effort, allowing two hits and two walks while earning one strikeout.

Schroeder took the loss on the mound despite giving up just three hits, two walks and three runs, two of which were earned, through six innings of work. He added three punchouts to his ledger in the process.

Chase Monette and Gable Buck were responsible for both of the Red Wave’s base knocks on Wednesday. Monette also collected a stolen base and walked once in two plate appearances.

Escanaba 3 — Menominee 0

Escanaba 000 012 0 — 3

Menominee 000 000 0 — 0

WP: Cloutier 7IP, 2H, 2BB, K

LP: Schroeder 6IP, 3H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 5K

Leading hitters (Menominee): Monette 1x1, BB, SB; Buck 1x3; Torin Davis 0x0, BB