Indians Top Black Sox, Fall To Midland In Tourney

GLADSTONE---The Gladstone Indians split a pair of games Saturday at the Gregg Johnson Memorial Baseball Tournament Saturday at Don Olsen Field.

The Indians topped the Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) Black Sox, 11-3, in five innings, before falling to downstate powerhouse Midland Berryhill, 5-0, in the late game.

In the first game, the Black Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Brad Manson walked and scored on a ground ball by Eric Thornton off of Indians starter Christian Groleau.

The Indians didn't take long to grab the lead in the second inning.

Groleau walked, and Sam Pouliot put down a perfect bunt for a single.

Logan Heim walked to load the bases. Jack Stephenson's grounder scored one run, then Christian Tackman hit a grounder that scored a second run.

An error on the play helped, and then Tackman stayed in a rundown long enough for Stephenson to score from third, and it was 3-1.

Hayden Hardwick three-run hit

Gladstone added four runs in the third inning. Groleau's two-run single made it 5-1, and Pouliot's RBI double made it 6-1. Stephenson's RBI single in the #9 hole made it 7-1.

Groleau, who has dealt with shoulder problems that his limited his pitching ability throughout the high school season, hit the wall in the top of the fifth inning. He allowed two runs on hits by Manson and Dom Buonomo, along with a walk and hit-battsman.

Thornton's RBI grounder and Brock Barry's bases-loaded walk scored for the Sault.

But Gladstone ended the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on the tournament's eight-run rule. The Indians scored four times, with Hayden Hardwick's three-run double being the biggest hit. The game-ending run scored on an error.

Groleau pitched all five innings to earn the win. He allowed four hits, walked four, and hit a batter. Thornton took the loss for the Black Sox.

In Saturday night's game, the Indians fell to Midland Berryhill. 5-0.

Berryhill took advantage of seven walks and four Gladstone errors to earn the victory.

Midland's Brendan Harrison stroke a two-run homer against Pouliot, and he had two of his team's five base hits. Pouliot took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, and five walks. Jake Peterson worked the final two-plus innings, striking out four batters, walking two, and giving up one unearned run.

Christian Groleau two-run hit

Offensively, Gladstone managed just three hits against Midland. Pearson had two of those hits. The Indians did have guys on base, but stranded eight of them.

Gladstone hosts the Marquette Blues in the final game of the tournament on Sunday. First pitch is set for 12:30. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Saturday In Escanaba
DePere, Wis. 8, Sault Ste. Marie 3
DePere, Wis. 13, Manitowoc, Wis. 1
Plover, Wis. 17, Sault Ste. Marie 0
Escanaba 6, Manitowoc, Wis. 0
Escanaba 6, Plover, Wis. 3

Saturday In Gladstone
Midland Berryhill 8, Marquette 0
Gladstone 11, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) 3
Marquette 10, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) 4
Midland Berryhill 5, Gladstone 0

Sunday In Escanaba
10:00---Plover, Wis. vs Midland Berryhill
12:30---Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) vs DePere, Wis.
3:00---Escanaba vs DePere, Wis. (LIVE ON AM-600)

Sunday In Gladstone
10:00---Sault Ste. Marie vs Manitowoc, Wis.
12:30---Gladstone vs Marquette (LIVE ON AM-600)

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and listen to audio highlights and interviews from Saturday's action.