GLADSTONE---The Gladstone High School softball team played three games in the Superior Dome on Easter weekend. That was more than three weeks ago. Since then, the Braves have been methodically practicing inside the high school gym.
Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, the girls were able to get outside and play some softball against another team. The conditions weren't the best...45 degrees...but the Braves did enough good things to sweep the Marquette Redettes, 9-5 and 7-0.
"Under the circumstances with the cold, they played pretty well," Gladstone Coach Jerry Smith said. "We have some things to work on, though. Especially our bunting."
In the opener, the Braves jumped to a 5-1 lead, but pitcher Tinner Sharon struggled in the fourth inning. She issued several walks, including two with the bases loaded. Smith replaced his struggling pitching ace with co-ace Alison Austin.
"Tinner struggled," Smith said. "That happens this early in the season because she's a hard thrower. Lots of hard throwers struggle when it's cold or wet. She got down on herself when I took her out, but I brought her back later (in the second game)."
Marquette cut the lead to 5-4, but had two girls thrown out at the plate in that inning.
Then, in the fifth inning, the Braves expanded their lead when Lexi Hongisto walked and rode home on a two-run home run to left field by Jordan Kowalski.
"She pounded that one good," Smith smiled. "A line shot over the fence!"
Later, Morgan Kowalski's fly ball landed near two Marquette outfielders in right field, scoring two more runs, making it a 9-4 Gladstone lead.
In the second game, Mikayla Depuydt pitched five innings of scoreless softball and Sharon finished up as the Braves posted a 7-0 shutout win. Smith was pleased.
"Mikalya did a beautiful job," the veteran coach said. "She moved the ball around well and mixed her speeds with the change-up. She kept their batters off-balance."
So, why didn't Depuydt get to pitch all seven innings?
"She had to leave for a talent show at the high school," Smith said with a chuckle.
Gladstone will host Peshtigo, Wis., in a single game Friday afternoon at 4:00.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box at the top of the page to see photos and videos from the game.
Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, the girls were able to get outside and play some softball against another team. The conditions weren't the best...45 degrees...but the Braves did enough good things to sweep the Marquette Redettes, 9-5 and 7-0.
In the opener, the Braves jumped to a 5-1 lead, but pitcher Tinner Sharon struggled in the fourth inning. She issued several walks, including two with the bases loaded. Smith replaced his struggling pitching ace with co-ace Alison Austin.
"Tinner struggled," Smith said. "That happens this early in the season because she's a hard thrower. Lots of hard throwers struggle when it's cold or wet. She got down on herself when I took her out, but I brought her back later (in the second game)."
Marquette cut the lead to 5-4, but had two girls thrown out at the plate in that inning.
Jordan Kowalski two-run homer for Braves
"She pounded that one good," Smith smiled. "A line shot over the fence!"
In the second game, Mikayla Depuydt pitched five innings of scoreless softball and Sharon finished up as the Braves posted a 7-0 shutout win. Smith was pleased.
"Mikalya did a beautiful job," the veteran coach said. "She moved the ball around well and mixed her speeds with the change-up. She kept their batters off-balance."
So, why didn't Depuydt get to pitch all seven innings?
"She had to leave for a talent show at the high school," Smith said with a chuckle.
Gladstone will host Peshtigo, Wis., in a single game Friday afternoon at 4:00.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box at the top of the page to see photos and videos from the game.
