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Saturday April 20, 2024
ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Gladstone Falls In Extras

Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos taken by RRN Intern Braden Kerr.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich.---The Gladstone Major Little League All-Star softball team (age 11-12) were one out away from a state tournament victory on Sunday, but poor defense ended up being costly as Jackson Southwest rallied for a 3-2 seven inning win.

"Honestly, there were things throughout the game, where our heads weren't really in it," Gladstone Manager Tasi Martinez said. "That wasn't the ball that we're used to playing. We've got to come in tomorrow with a chip on our shoulder, because we gave this one away, and nobody's going to give us a game. We have to fight, and earn, every single win down here."

Gladstone did not have a base hit in the game, and Jackson pitcher Ollie Powers struck out 20 batters.

But incredibly, Gladstone held a 2-0 lead when Lauren Pare and Molly Matthews scored on wild pitches. They were Gladstone's only two baserunners in the first five innings, having reached on an error and a walk.

That 2-0 lead looked to be enough as Pare matched Powers' no-hitter with one of her own. There were two out in the final inning when Powers got ahold of a pitch and dumped it into right field for a base hit, barely over the outstretched glove of second baseman Tiahna Reynolds.

Then, things began to unravel for Gladstone. Pare again got a sure out to end the game, but Ollie Dutton's popup was dropped by the first baseman. Then, Molly Simpson drewa a walk.

Powers scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-1, but Pare appeared to have the sure third out again when Erin O'Dowd hit a bouncing ball to second base. It was missplayed, allowing the tying run to score. Pare got a strikeout to end the sixth inning tied at 2-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Ava Goodman drew a walk and stole second base. Malia Quigley struck out, and the throw to first on the dropped third strike nearly got away, but O'Dowd stretched way out at first base and kept her toes on the bag to end the inning.

Martinez removed Pare from the circle after six innings, so that she would be able to throw in Monday's game.

Reynolds came in to throw, and she too was victimized by an infield error on Ellen Thompson's bunt. She stole second, and third base, and scored on a ground ball to third base by Lucy Wrozek. The eighth Gladstone error of the game proved to be costly, giving Jackson Southwest a 3-2 lead.

Jackson switched pitchers, too, bringing Wrozek to the cicrle. But she was wild, walking Pare ro start the inning. So they brought Powers back in to pitch. Pare stole both second and third bases, but Powers struck out the final three batters to preserve the win.

She stuck out 20 batters for Jackson and did not allow a hit.

Pare gets a no-decision, throwing six innings, striking out nine, and allowing just one hit. Reynolds takes the loss, allowing no hits in the one inning of work.

All three Jackson runs were unearned.

"I can't ask for any more from Lauren Pare," Martinez said. "I know that she's going to come in tomorrow just ready to go. I mean, she's my workhorse. I know I can count on her to come out here tomorow and deliver."

Despite the loss, Gladstone can still make the state quarterfinal round with a win over Bay County (Essexville-Hampton) on Monday. That game starts at 12:15 and will be broadcast live on WCHT-FM/AM (93.5/600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.











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