Gladstone Dominates Pulaski In Firecracker Opener

MARINETTE, Wis.---The Gladstone Indians played "small ball" to grab an early lead and gradually pulled away to post a 10-1 win over Pulaski, Wis., in the Marinette Firecracker Baseball Tournament opener Friday night at Pederson Ballpark.

Ben Kelly pitched a complete-game two-hitter and six different Indians had base hits.

Tyson Seymour and Cody Frappier, both known for their heavy hitting, each put down successful bunts in the first inning after Braeden Lamberg cracked a leadoff double.

Frappier's bunt was a squeeze bunt that scored the first run of the game, and a second run scored with an error on that play. Cooper Cavadeas followed with a two-out RBI single under the third baseman's glove to make it a 3-0 game.

Dan Martin added a double and an RBI single for the Indians (3-3).

Kelly, fresh off last Saturday's one-hit shutout win over Marquette in the Gregg Johnson Memorial Tournament, was on his game again Friday night under steamy conditions in Marinette. He allowed just two base hits, walked two, struck out six, and had two men on base against him just once.

The run against Kelly Friday night was an unearned run.

The defensive highlight was turned in by Cole Hansen who made a sliding catch in left field to prevent Pulaski from closing to within 5-2 in the sixth inning. The Indians then scored five runs on four Pulaski errors in the bottom of the inning.

Gladstone plays twice on Saturday: against Manitowoc at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT, and against Green Bay at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT. The game against Green Bay will be broadcast on WCHT-AM (NewsTalk 600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

FRIDAY'S OTHER FIRECRACKER GAMES
Green Bay Shockers 5, Marquette Blues 0
Menominee Red Wave 2, Manitowoc Legion 0
Marinette Legion 10, Escanaba Cubs 0 (5 Innings)

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos, videos taken by Laura Lamberg. Also, listen to Ben Kelly's interview.