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Marquette Tops Gladstone Twice To Win State Title
 ESCANABA --- The Gladstone Indians dropped two games to the Marquette Blues in the championships of the Class A American Legion Baseball State Tournament Saturday in Escanaba, 4-0 and 13-3. The Indians couldn't muster up any run support for starting pitcher Brandon Cooper in the opener, and Marquette came out swinging the bats early in the second game. In the first game, Marquette scored four runs in the first two innings and they were the difference in the game. A three run homer for left fielder McKinley Larson scored leadoff hitter Brendan Higbie and Marquette starting pitcher Riley Lynch in the first inning off Gladstone starting pitcher Brandon Cooper. Marquette scored another run in the bottom of the second as center fielder Trevor Bratonia singled to start off the inning.He advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by shortstop Hunter Larson. Gladstone's best chance at a comeback against Marquette was in the sixth against relief pitcher Bratonia as they had bases loaded and one out. The five hitter Christian Tackman came to the plate and was unlucky with a couple calls by the home plate umpire. He ended up striking out and second baseman Braeden Lamburg struck out as well to end the threat. Winning pitcher was Riley Lynch who went five innings giving up no runs on three hits while striking out five and walking one. Losing pitcher for Gladstone was Brandon Cooper who went all six innings giving up four runs on ten hits while striking out three and walking four. In the second game, Marquette broke out again with a huge first inning just like they did against Escanaba the night before. Gladstone struck first in the top half of the first as center fielder Jake Peterson got Gladstone going with a leadoff double to the left field corner. He would later score on a RBI double for Garling to left center to give Gladstone the lead. Marquette responded with six runs in the first off of Indians starting pitcher Hunter Garling. Highlighted by a two RBI single by right fielder Zac Carter and a double by second baseman Trevor Koski. Marquette then added to their lead with back to back two run innings in the second and third. It was 10-1 and the Indians couldn't muster the energy to make a comeback in the game. Marquette scored three runs in the fifth inning to bring the mercy rule into effect and end the game. So Marquette took home the trophy after battling back all the way from the loser's bracket after losing to Gladstone a day before. McKinley Larson took home the MVP trophy after hitting above .600 with two home runs and 13 RBI at the plate this weekend as well as two wins on the mound for Marquette. Winning pitcher for Marquette was Larson, who went four innings giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out four and walking none. Trevor Bratonia pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Losing pitcher for Gladstone was Hunter Garling, he gave up seven runs in an inning of work while giving up six hits and walking a Marquette batter. Braedan Lamburg gave up four earned runs in four innings of relief. |
