Gladstone Shakes Off Bad Start To Slip Past Pulaski

MARINETTE, Wis.---The Gladstone Indians American Legion Baseball team got off to a rough start Friday night, but recovered to beat Pulaski (Wis.), 9-7, in the first game of the Firecracker Tournament at Marinette's Pederson Ballpark.

Two errors, a misjudged fly ball in center field, and a pair of walks helped Pulaski grab a 4-0 lead in the opening inning. But the Indians mixed a bit of "small ball" with heavy hitting in the second inning to score five times and take control of the game.

Ben Schwalbach made amends for a defensive error by slugging a double to start that second inning rally.

His little brother Ian was hit by a pitch, and then after two failed bunt attempts, Quinn Downey dumped a base hit to left field to load the bases.

Then Noah Olsen came through in the #9 spot by smacking one past a diving left fielder to the fence, scoring two runs, putting the Indians on the board. Owen Hanson followed with a squeeze bunt to bring in a run (and he was safe when the throw to the plate was late).

Braeden Lamberg's sacrifice fly brought home the fifth Gladstone run.

It stayed 5-4 for several innings as Clay Cole settled down on the mound for the Indians, and Gladstone stranded runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Then in the sixth inning, Hunter Garling came through with an RBI double to the fence to give the Indians an insurance run.

And they needed it because in the bottom of the inning, Pulaski got hits from Drew McDermid, Sam Brodhagen, and Ellis Kozlovski to plate a run against a tiring Cole.

But Cole reached deep and struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh inning, Lucas Weinert led off by being hit by a pitch, and he stole second base.

He came home on a solid base hit by Schwalbach, and then Ian Schwalbach hammered one to the left field fence to bring home his big brother.

The final run of the inning came home when Hanson was safe on an error.

The Indians were in for a wild ride in the bottom of the seventh when Downey came in to pitch. Ben Schwalbach made a great play on a slow roller to start the inning, but Logan George singled and Colton Agamaite walked.

Derek Gibbons followed with a base hit to make it a 9-6 game, then the Indians had to buckle their seat belts.

McDermid launched a long drive to center field that would have been a three-run homer at Don Olsen Field. But this is Pederson Ballpark, with the 365 foot center field. Garling reteated to the warning track and hauled it in. One run scored, making it 9-7.

Then Brodhagen stepped up and launched one deep to left field. Hanson ran back and caught it for the third out, ending the game with a Gladstone victory.

Gladstone (8-1) faces Manitowoc at 11:00 ET Saturday morning, and will take on Tournament Favorite Green Bay Shockers at 4:00 ET.

The morning game will not be broadcast.

The Gladstone-Green Bay game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos taken by Laura Lamberg.