MENOMINEE---The Gladstone High School softball team had to battle countless times in their district final against Menominee, but managed, somehow, to pull through, 4-3, in eight innings, at Menominee High School.
The championship game against Menominee was a nailbiter, with the Braves coming from behind twice to post a 4-3 win in eight innings.
The Maroons had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the eighth inning when Montgomery Pepin walked two batters with one out in the inning. Savannah Houle hit a fly ball to center field for the Maroons, which was caught by Emma Trombley. The runner tagged up and tried to advance to third base, but Trombley threw a strike to Maddy Sundquist for the double play, ending the game,
Gladstone had scored in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead when Trombley singled and Lauren Sundquist followed with a line drive of her own. The error moved them up to second and third, and a passed ball brought home Trombley with what turned out to be the winning run.
Before that, in the top of the seventh inning, the Braves were trailing, 3-2, and were down to their final out. Lauren Sundquist led off the inning with a single, but a strikeout and a pop up put the Braves on the brink. Sammy Drielick came through with a double to tie the game, and Pepin worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.
Menominee had taken a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on a walk, base hit, and wild pitch with a runner on third base.
Gladstone had also trailed, 2-1, earlier in the game, but the Braves manufactured a run on hits by Lauren Sundquist and Reese Herioux, and a squeeze bunt by Drielick.
Pepin worked all eight innings in the circle for Gladstone, striking out twelve batters but also walking seven. She allowed four hits. Kamryn Olsen took the loss for the Maroons, striking out ten batters, walking five, and giving up nine base hits.
Earlier in the day, the Maroons easily beat Manistique, 10-0, in the first semifinal. Olsen also worked that game in the circle, and allowed just one hit, striking out eleven batters in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule. Madelyne Barker had two doubles and two RBI for Menominee. Alexis McDade took the loss for the Emeralds.
Gladstone mercied Iron Mountain, 18-0, in a game shortened to five innings. Pepin threw a no-hitter in the circle, striking out eleven batters and walking five. Lauren Sundquist was 4-for-4 at the plate, with four runs batted in, and she scored four times.
Herioux added two hits, three RBI, and also she scored four times.
Gladstone's record improved to 20-11 on the season, with yet another district championship. Menominee's season ended with an 18-20 record.
The Braves move on to the regional tournament next Saturday, with games at the Gladstone High School. Gladstone will face Boyne City at noon. The first game will be between Houghton and Grayling at 10 a.m. Gladstone beat Boyne City (20-17-1) by an 11-1 score in a regular season game on May 13.
