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Indians Open Legion Season With Win In Niagara
NIAGARA, Wis.---The Gladstone Indians opened the American Legion Baseball season Monday night with a come-from-behind 7-5 win in Niagara, Wis.The Indians played without many of their starters because they were resting after last weekend's high school state finals. The only high school starters to make the trip were Christian Groleau and Jake Peterson, along with Rapid River senior Hayden Hardwick. "The young kids played really well," Indians Manager Jim Groleau said. "Braeden Lamberg must have had six, seven assists at third base. We played good defense." Peterson, one week after pitching in the high school regional tournament, got the ball for the Indians. But he only made it through two innings, giving up three runs. Eighth grader Logan Heim stepped up. He gave up two runs early on, putting the Indians in a 5-1 hole, but did not allow another run the rest of the way. Gladstone scored four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. And Heim got what turned out to be the game-winning hit: a two-run single that made it a 6-5 Indians lead. Heim earned the pitching win, throwing five inning, allowing two runs on four hits. Christian Groleau and Mid Peninsula freshman Duane Englund each had two hits. The Niagara Legion team includes kids not only from Niagara, but from Norway, Hermansville, even one kid from Kingsford. Norway's John Edwardsen threw five innings and took the loss on the mound. North Central's Hunter Kaldor pitched two innings in relief. Niagara got two hits each from Cody Carlson and Joe Murvich. Gladstone will co-host the Gregg Johnson Memorial Tournament this weekend. The Indians will face Chief Pontiac out of suburban Detroit Friday afternoon at 5:30. Then Gladstone will take on the Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) Black Sox at 8:00. Both games will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. |
