Click the thumnbnails to see photos and videos taken by RRN Intern Braden Kerr, and to hear post-game comments from Gladstone Manager Tasi Martinez, catcher Hope Reath, and third baseman Malia Quigley.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich.---The Gladstone Major Little League All-Star softball team (age 10-12) bounced back from Sunday's devastating extra innings loss to mercy Bay County, 15-0, in three innings on Monday.
 

Gladstone advances to the state quarterfinals, and actually finished first in its four-team pool as three teams finished with identical 2-1 records.

The team that Gladstone lost to, Jackson Southwest, ended up second in the pool after they were walked-off by Edwardsburg, 9-8, on Monday.

Gladstone won on the “runs allowed” tiebreaker, giving up only 11 runs in the three pool games. Jackson SW gave up 12 runs, and Edwardsburg gave up 24 runs. Edwardsburg, which Gladstone beat on Saturday, finished 2-1 but did not advance.

“It feels good that we came down here and we made some noise,” Gladstone Manager Tasi Martinez said. “No matter what happens from here on out, we made it out of pool play and we were one of the top two teams in our pool. We made it to quarters. That's something to be proud of in and of itself. We're gonna keep on pushing. We're down here to win a state title, and that's our goal.”

Gladstone got three-run, inside-the-park home runs from catcher Hope Reath in the first inning and from pitcher Lauren Pare in the third inning. Emma Trombley had two base hits, including the one that ended the game on the 15-run mercy rule in the third inning.

Reath was happy to smack that ball to right field, and watch it skip on the artificial turf at University Liggett High School past the outfielder.

“I told myself, it's gonna be a strike, so you better swing,” Reath said. “I looked over at Tasi and she kept telling me to go! I'm so excited. I know we can do it, we just have to believe in ourselves.”

Reath also did her job behind the plate, with 88-degree weather amplified by the artificial turf field.

“It was kind of hot, but I like catching, so it was pretty fun,” Reath said. “I took three bottled waters with me, and I took drinks after every single inning, and sat in the shade (between innings).”

The feeling is much better for the Gladstone girls than on Sunday, when they blew a 2-0 lead in the final inning and lost to Jackson Southwest.

“I feel like we did a lot better than we did yesterday,” Gladstone third baseman Malia Quigley said. “I think we came together as a team. We talked about keeping calm, and not be so antsy. I feel like we all made really good adjustments (to the slower pitching). We all just need to play like we did today, and like we did against Esky. I'm really excited and proud of all of us.'

Gladstone will play in the quarterfinals against Clare Tuesday morning at 10:15. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-FM/AM (93.5/600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.