JENISON, Mich.---The Gladstone Junior Little League All-Star softball team (age 13-14) picked up its first state tournament win Tuesday night in the 100-degree heat in central Lower Michigan, beating Three Rivers, 17-1, at Georgetown Little League.
Gladstone is 1-1 in the state tournament, after losing its first game to Hudsonville Sunday night, 12-2. But this Gladstone team is unique because it includes four ladies from the North Dickinson Little League. There's also one Escanaba girl on the team.
The team had melded together to form some true U.P. Power below the Bridge.
“They've only had a week of practice together,” Manager Kelly Carter said. “So, all things considered, each day, they learn a little bit more about each other. They trust each other a little more. It's been fun. We went into it not knowing what we were really going to face, so we put our best out there. We were able to get everyone else in today. The girls hit the ball well. It was fun to see.”
Her daughter, Reagan, pitched all four innings of the mercy-shortened game. And all 12 outs were recorded by the strikeout.
“I think things are going really good,” she said. “I didn't really know what to expect, but things are coming together. I think I'm dialed in more than I was last year (pitching). I've been working on more pitches, too, (but), I can't tell my secrets!”
Offensively, Annabelle Reynolds had a two-run inside-the-park home run and she also added a double. Estelle Breitzman added an RBI hit and she scored twice.
Reagan Carter was charged with two earned runs and a pair of walks in her four innings of pitching, to go along with her twelve strikeouts.
Gladstone will take on defending state champion Croswell-Lexington at 5:00 Wednesday afternoon in their final pool play game.
