Marquette Sweeps Season Series From Gladstone

GLADSTONE---The Marquette Blues rode complete-game pitching performances from Trevor Bratonia and Brandon Lotterman to sweep a doubleheader from the Gladstone Indians, 8-2 and 9-2, Tuesday night in Gladstone. Marquette won all three games in the season series, having also posted a 7-2 win over the Indians last week in Marquette.

In the first game, the Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Justin Jurek walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Logan Hardwick.

Jurek pitched the first three innings for the Indians, blanking the Blues on one hit, striking out four batters.

Ben Schwalbach came on to pitch in the fourth inning, and with one out, he struck out pinch hitter Jordan Kivi. The ball got away from catcher A.J. Lundberg, and Kivi was safe at first base.

Later, a Brandon Lotterman grounder scored the tying run. Schwalbach was able to get a fly out from Brenden Higbie with three on.

In the bottom of the inning, Gladstone loaded the bases on hits by Lucas Weinert and Hunter Botruff, and a walk to Owen Hanson. With the bases loaded, Jake Peterson hit a grounder up the middle. The tag was made on Hanson, but a run scored.

Gladstone led, 2-1, but Marquette took the lead with a five-run fifth inning. Gladstone made three errors during that inning, helping the Blues to take control of the game.

MacKinley Larson hit a two-run single to right field to make it 3-2, and then Lotterman smackd a double to the left field fence. Two more runs scored on an error at third base.

In the sixth inning, Larson had an RBI single, and then Lotterman hjad another RBI double to put the game away. Bratonia pitched all seven innings for Marquette, allowing two runs on five hits. He sruck out eight batters, and he walked seven.

For the Indians, Jurek threw the first three innings, allowing no runs on one hit. He struck out four and walked two.

Ben Schwalbach came on in relief, and was the victim of poor defense behind him. Schwalbach allowed six runs (only two earned) in two innings of relief. He walked four batters and did not have a strikeout.

Christian Tackman threw the final two innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He also walked four Marquette batters, along with with two strikeouts.

In the second game, the Indians took an early 2-1 lead. Jurek doubled and scored on a grounder by Tackman. Jack Stephenson's RBI single gave the Indians the lead. Stephenson and Tackman each had two base hits in Tuesday's second game.

On the mound, Braeden Lamberg took the loss, allowing five earned runs on three hits and six walks in 2 1/3 innings.

Elliot Danhoff and A.J. Lundberg finished on the pitcher's mound for the Indians (3-6).

Marquette's Lotterman threw seven innings, allowing two earned runs on eight base hits. He walked three batters and struck out four.

Gladstone travels to Escanaba on Friday night for the annual holiday contest. The Junior game starts at 5:00, with the "varsity" game set for 8:00.

You can hear both games live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HGHLIGHTS box above to see photo and videos, taken by Nate Bellville.