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TAKE TWO: Gladstone Indians Begin Title Defense
 GLADWIN---The Gladstone Indians American Legion baseball team won a pair of games in downstate Gladwin on Thursday as the Class A state tournament got under way, beating Hudson, 14-8, and then blanking the host Gladwin team, 10-0. In Thursday's first game, Gladstone scored nine runs in the first two innings to take command. Ben Kelly had a two-run base hit and Dayton Bernson singled home a run in the first inning. Dan Martin a sacrifice fly, Jared Crow ripped an RBI single, Ian Schwalbach smacked an RBI double, and Cody Frappier singled home two runs.  Cooper Cavadeas came in and allowed one run on two hits. Blake Krouth threw three innings in relief, and gave up a grand slam home run in the sixth inning to Hudson's Blake Borck. Luckily, the score was already 13-4 Indians at that time. Carson Shea pitched the final inning to close it out. Martin and Frappier both had three runs batted in altogether for Gladstone. In the evening game, Gladstone again got a big early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning, as Frappier smoked a triple off the top of the outfield fence to bring home Crow. The Indians put it away with seven runs in the fourth inning as Crow and Martin both singled home two more runs. Ian Schwalbach had an RBI hit, and Krouth smoked a two-run double to make it a 10-0 game. That was enough for Jakob Rogers, who threw all five innings to earn the win. He allowed just two hits, walked two, and struck out six. Gladstone, the two-time defending state champions, will face Trenton in the winners bracket final Friday at 5:30. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (NewsTalk 600) and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to hear post-game comments from Crow and Rogers.  |
