Click the thumbnails to see photos, videos taken by RRN Intern Braden Kerr.
KENTWOOD, Mich.---The Upper Peninsula's two teams competing in the Major Little League All-Star state tournament got off to rough starts on Friday, with Gladstone falling to Commerce Township, 11-1, and Negaunee losing to Petoskey, 10-3.
PETOSKEY 10, NEGAUNEE 3---The District 13 champions jumped off to a 5-0 lead thanks in part to a two-run homer by Parker Ward in the top of the second inning.
But Negaunee put together a rally in the third inning with Killean Ryan scoring on a bases loaded walk. With two out, Aiden Cardinal smacked a base it to right field, bringing home Drake Ayotte and Trent Juntti, bringing the Little Miners to within 5-3.
But Negaunee didn't score again, in fact, they did not get another base hit the rest of the way. Ward ended up going 4-for-4 in the leadoff spot and scored three runs for Petoskey.
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP 11, GLADSTONE 1---The Gladstone boys had a tall task on Friday, facing the team that won the 11-year-old state championship a year ago, Commerce Township. The Commerce team is full of heavy hitters, from top to bottom, and they pounded out 13 hits in an 11-1 mercy-kiliing of the Gladstone All-Stars.
Seven of those hits came in the first inning, when Commerce scored six runs: Collin Flevaris, Brayden Dershem, Callan Bowyer, Landon Muller and Trent McCall all got hits before Gladstone pitcher Henry Sholten could record an out.
With one out, Bryce Bahri and Brandon Kondrat followed with RBI hits to make it 6-0. And the icing on the cake for Commerce was a two-run home run to center field by McCall.
Gladstone actually had a chance to score in the top of the first inning when Braylin Carter drew a walk and Nick Proehl poked a line drive base hit to left field. But Landon Pepin struck out to end the threat.
Gladstone scored its only run in the top of the fourth inning when Carter Sanville ripped a solo home run over the center field fence.
Gladstone will play Petoskey at 10:00 Saturday morning. It will be broadcast on FM-106.3 and radioresultsnetwork.com. Negaunee battles Commerce at 7 p.m.
