May 8, 2025
Escanaba freshman Bryce Bichler attempts to lay down a bunt during a game against Marquette on May 7, 2025 at Al Ness Field in Escanaba. Bichler finished 4-for-6 from the plate on this day. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)
ESCANABA — Some days are better than others for Escanaba baseball.
Nine days earlier the Eskymos were blanked in a 4-0 loss to Marquette. But something felt different about Wednesday’s Great Northern Conference showdown between the Eskymos and Sentinels. Maybe it was the lack of snow, maybe it was the abundance of bugs that surrounded the dugouts and netting above the backstop. Or maybe, just maybe, it was a rare wind from the north which felt different.
In the end, through dust, insects and plenty of defensive misplays the Eskymos walked out of Wednesday’s game with a 20-10 win after six innings.
“We were able to take advantage and put the bat on the ball,” Eskymos skipper Scott Hanson said. “I was happy to come back and get one on them.”
In three games last weekend the Eskymos couldn’t muster the big hit with runners in scoring position. By all accounts that wasn’t the case on Wednesday.
The Eskymos poured on six runs in the second thanks to RBI singles from Biran Boutilier, Ashton Rymkos, and Mikaiden Hughes. Sophomore Brody Ison drove in two off a single as well.
Esky’s lead ballooned to 9-0 off a two-run double from Rymkos and an RBI single from Lennox Peacock.
And while the Sentinels failed to fade away gently the Eskymos seemed to always have a response. After Marquette cut the lead down to 9-6 the Eskymos added four runs in the fifth off two Marquette errors and a two-run single from junior Owen Fields.
The Sentinels scratched and clawed their way back to within three runs midway through the sixth. But Rymkos made his presence felt once again, cranking a two-run home run to center field which kickstarted a rally which saw two bases loaded walks and back-to-back RBI singles from Boutilier and freshman Bryce Bichler to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.
Rymkos, who was 3-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and three runs scored, earned the win on the mound, allowing five earned runs off seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts across four innings of work.
“I thought Rymkos had a great day at the plate,” Hanson said of the junior. “He’s coming off a bit of a back issue last week and didn’t play much last week at all. He looks pretty comfortable at the plate.”
Bichler, who finished 4-for-6 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI, allowed five earned runs off eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in relief.
“He had a really good day,” Hanson said of Bichler’s day. “He’s played well overall for the season, but he’s struggled a bit with his swing over the last few games. Happy to see him get going.”
Boutilier finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Hanson was quick to praise the Sentinels, who saw Easton Jezewski finish 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, Gib Jezewski go 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI and Trey Niemi earn a base hit and three walks.
“That team just fights,” Hanson said. “Give them a lot of credit for being a young team that battles.”
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