GLADWIN, Mich.---The play that effectively ended the Gladstone Indians' season at the Class A State Tournament last year never really left the minds of the Indians players.
Especially Christian Groleau.
In the state semifinal game last summer, Groleau's throwing error allowed David Falish to score the only run of a 1-0 win for the Escanaba Cubs over the Indians.
It is indeed fitting that this year's game would end with the ball in Groleau's mit. And this time, he didn't need to throw it anywhere.
Groleau caught a fly ball off the bat of Bailey Lamb to clinch Gladstone's first state championship, finishing off a 4-0 win over the Cubs in downstate Gladwin. It was also a send-off for Groleau's dad, Indians Manager Jim Groleau, who announced that he is resigning as the team's manager.
After so many close calls in the past, he goes out on top.
"This feels absolutely phenominal," Jim Groleau said. "We worked so hard for this moment. The seniors have put in so many years and years. A lot of hard work went into this and it just feels wonderful."
The Indians took advantage of a good bracket after they won the Upper Peninsula Zone Five championship.
They needed to win just three games to take the trophy, and they did that, staying out of the dreaded loser's bracket by not giving up a single run.
Escanaba Manager Tom Ohman says that his team gave its best effort.
"We got beat by a team that beat us all year," Ohman said. "You've got to tip your hats to them. They're the best team around.
"They're tough. We didn't swing the bats very well from the first inning of the Gladwin game (Saturday morning) on."
The Indians got off to a quick start against an Escanaba team that was running out of pitching after having to win three games in the loser's bracket just to get into the championship round.
Christian Tackman led off with a hit, Justin Jurek walked, and Hunter Garling put down a bunt single. Tackman scored on a Jake Pearson groundout.
That happened after the Cubs had a great scoring chance in the top of the first inning. Escanaba had two men on, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the scoring threat. The Gladstone defense turned three double plays in the game.
The Indians scored three runs in the fourth inning against Cubs pitcher Brandon Punzel, who was pitching on zero day's rest. Garling walked with the bases loaded, and Pearson followed with a two-run single to make it 4-0.
Garling pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing just two base hits.
"The turning point for us was coming out of that Sault Ste. Marie tournament where we had a couple of clunkers over there," Jim Groleau said. "We had a little heart-to-heart talk and we said 'ok, from here on out, we need to go. From that point on, the kids took the challenge, bonded together, and they didn't want their season to end."
Earlier in the day, the Cubs won the loser's bracket final, eliminating the host Gladwin Lightning, 6-1.
Escanaba did it with a big five runs in the first inning. Falish led off with a single and then rode home on a two-run homer by Nick Vandermissen.
The hit parade continued as Hunter LaMarch and Devin Olsen each had RBI singles.
Later, Falish batted for the second time in the inning and drew a bases-loaded walk.
Young Justin Popelka gave his team a fighting chance by pitching his first-ever American Legion complete game. Popelka tossed a three-hitter, and his best inning was the fifth when he struck out the side.
Ohman was impressed.
"That's gonna help him for the rest of his future," Ohman said. "It will help him for high school, too, pitching the way that he did."
Escanaba will host the Class A American Legion state tournament next year at Al Ness Field.
Ohman says he and his team will be ready to fight for a state championship.
"The boys battled. They played hard," Ohman said. "They never give up and they have a great sense of humor. (But) I can't keep taking second! I've got to get one one of these years!"
And so to will the Indians, albeit with a new manager. Jim Groleau says that the future is bright for the Gladstone program going well into the future.
"We've got a lot of talent coming up here in Gladstone," he said. "Justin Jurek, Hunter Garling, Jake Peterson. And some other ball players coming up too."
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos taken by Sheila Olsen.
Especially Christian Groleau.
It is indeed fitting that this year's game would end with the ball in Groleau's mit. And this time, he didn't need to throw it anywhere.
Groleau caught a fly ball off the bat of Bailey Lamb to clinch Gladstone's first state championship, finishing off a 4-0 win over the Cubs in downstate Gladwin. It was also a send-off for Groleau's dad, Indians Manager Jim Groleau, who announced that he is resigning as the team's manager.
After so many close calls in the past, he goes out on top.
"This feels absolutely phenominal," Jim Groleau said. "We worked so hard for this moment. The seniors have put in so many years and years. A lot of hard work went into this and it just feels wonderful."
They needed to win just three games to take the trophy, and they did that, staying out of the dreaded loser's bracket by not giving up a single run.
Escanaba Manager Tom Ohman says that his team gave its best effort.
"We got beat by a team that beat us all year," Ohman said. "You've got to tip your hats to them. They're the best team around.
"They're tough. We didn't swing the bats very well from the first inning of the Gladwin game (Saturday morning) on."
The Indians got off to a quick start against an Escanaba team that was running out of pitching after having to win three games in the loser's bracket just to get into the championship round.
That happened after the Cubs had a great scoring chance in the top of the first inning. Escanaba had two men on, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the scoring threat. The Gladstone defense turned three double plays in the game.
The Indians scored three runs in the fourth inning against Cubs pitcher Brandon Punzel, who was pitching on zero day's rest. Garling walked with the bases loaded, and Pearson followed with a two-run single to make it 4-0.
Garling pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing just two base hits.
"The turning point for us was coming out of that Sault Ste. Marie tournament where we had a couple of clunkers over there," Jim Groleau said. "We had a little heart-to-heart talk and we said 'ok, from here on out, we need to go. From that point on, the kids took the challenge, bonded together, and they didn't want their season to end."
Escanaba did it with a big five runs in the first inning. Falish led off with a single and then rode home on a two-run homer by Nick Vandermissen.
The hit parade continued as Hunter LaMarch and Devin Olsen each had RBI singles.
Later, Falish batted for the second time in the inning and drew a bases-loaded walk.
Young Justin Popelka gave his team a fighting chance by pitching his first-ever American Legion complete game. Popelka tossed a three-hitter, and his best inning was the fifth when he struck out the side.
Ohman was impressed.
"That's gonna help him for the rest of his future," Ohman said. "It will help him for high school, too, pitching the way that he did."
Ohman says he and his team will be ready to fight for a state championship.
"The boys battled. They played hard," Ohman said. "They never give up and they have a great sense of humor. (But) I can't keep taking second! I've got to get one one of these years!"
And so to will the Indians, albeit with a new manager. Jim Groleau says that the future is bright for the Gladstone program going well into the future.
"We've got a lot of talent coming up here in Gladstone," he said. "Justin Jurek, Hunter Garling, Jake Peterson. And some other ball players coming up too."
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos taken by Sheila Olsen.
Escanaba's Nick Vandermissen is met at home plate by his teammates after hitting a home run Saturday.
