Gladstone Girls Fall In State Championship Game

BOYNE CITY---Two years ago, the Gladstone girls met Freeland in the 9-10 softball state championship game in Grand Rapids.

Gladstone got two timely hits late in the game to win that state title, 2-0. On Wednesday, the same girls battled for another state championship.

After having to sit in Gaylord for an extra day due to heavy rains, the two teams met under pleasant conditions in Boyne City.

This time it was Freeland to get the timely hit, and timely defensive plays, to beat Gladstone, 1-0.

Freeland will represent Michigan in the Central Regional Tournament this weekend in Indianapolis.

Gladstone had a chance to score early when two walks and an error put three runners on with nobody out in the second inning.

But Freeland pitcher Cat Talaga got Andie Balenger to bounce into a force out. She struck out Grace Delaire, and then got Maddie Ahlgren to fly out to center field. So, the score remained 0-0, until the fifth inning.

Chole Savage nice catch of Trudeau's fly to end game

Freeland had several nice hits off Gladstone pitcher Brittany Schwartz, but Schwartz made some big pitches and kept the District One champs off the board for four innings.

But in the fifth, Morgan Leuenberger got her second hit of the game. She stole second, and then rode home on Talaga's double to the left field fence. Gladstone made a nice defensive play to get Talaga at third base, but the Falcons had the run they needed.

Gladstone did not give up, despite the fact that Talaga was firing on all cylinders and had not allowed a base hit in the first five innings of the game. But Natalie Hansen ripped a single up the middle to lead off the sixth inning, breaking up the no-hitter.

Talaga then struck out Tina Olson and Schwartz, and on the second strike out, Hansen stile second. She was in scoring position when Taylor Trudeau lofted a sinking line drive to center field.

It looked like it might land, but Chloe Savage caught in at her knees in center field, sending the Falcons into a huge celebration.

Talaga struck out eleven batters, allowing just that one hit. Schwartz allowed seven hits and walked just one batter in a losing effort. She fanned four batters.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos, and to hear radio replays from the championship game.

9-10 BOYS DISTRICT FINALS at Escanaba
Norway 10, Munising 0; Munising eliminated
Escanaba 14, Menominee 1

Thursday: Munising vs Norway, 6ET
Friday: Championship: Escanaba vs Thursday winner, 6ET