Braves, Rockets set for softball regionals

ESCANABA - The Gladstone and Rapid River softball teams are primed for regional competition, which is usual for one and new for the other.

Second-ranked Gladstone (30-6) makes its eighth straight regional appearance, sixth in Division 3, when it faces Oscoda at noon Saturday in Mancelona. Charlevoix (15-15-1) meets Kalkaska in the 10 a.m. opener, with the finale about 2.

Rapid River (18-7) , under first-year skipper Andy Schwartz, will be in Rogers City for a Division 4 game against Gaylord St. Mary (28-6) at noon. Onaway plays Harbor Light Christian at 10 and the title game is about 2.

Both regional champions advance to quarterfinals Tuesday at Traverse City Central, with D-3 at 3 p.m. and D-4 at noon.

This is the fourth regional visit for the Rockets, but the first for most of the players, many of whom are freshmen.

Both skippers, Schwartz and Gerry Smith at Gladstone, are expecting to adjust as the game goes on Saturday since not much information is known about either opponent.

"We have to play our game anyhow," said Smith. "Normally we never change much no matter what I know about the other team.

"We have to play our game, and hopefully they'll make changes in their game to compensate."

Smith, because of Gladstone's tourney success in past years, has developed a network of coaches to gather information and has seen several of these teams, such as Kalkaska.

Schwartz is comfortable dealing with strange teams, using his experience as manager of Gladstone's Major League girls who advanced to Portland for the 2007 World Series.

"It reminds me of Little League," he said. "We haven't seen anybody and we don't know them. Hopefully when we get there we'll watch the other teams warm up and see who has what. Hopefully the first time through the batting order we will see who is hitting and who is not."

Schwartz and Smith watch pre-game drills closely to pick up information, such as arm strength by the catcher, corner outfielders and how various players react defensively.

Gladstone will rely on pitchers Mackenzie Shepeck and Hilary Austin, who had a combined 13 hitless innings in the district sweep. Austin beat Negaunee 3-0 with a no-hitter and Shepeck, pitching for the first time since May 16, beat Newberry 7-3, allowing four hits and three runs in the seventh.

Smith has been unable to learn anything about Oscoda. Harbor Light Christian played in a weak league, the Northern Lights Conference, and beat Pellston 5-1 for the district title.

Based on past seasons, the Braves are likely favored. However, Smith said "I never go down with the we're the team to beat attitude. I never let the kids talk or think that way. You've got to go down and play the best possible game you can play. If we are the best team, we should win."

The Braves left for Gaylord after school today and will practice there tonight. Rapid River will not leave until 6 a.m. Saturday.

"Everybody is kind of wound up. Hopefully we can calm down by Saturday noon," said Schwartz, noting there will be a team dinner tonight.

He is thinking about trying more "small ball" in the regional, something the Rockets have practiced but not used in games.

"Hopefully that will be a different look and we can hopefully capitalize on it," he said. "The way we played in districts, the defense was rock-solid."

Freshman Heather Sanderson, one of the veterans from that third-place World Series team, will pitch Saturday. She made her tourney debut by no-hitting Rudyard, then was the winner as Rapid River beat Munising 11-0 and 2008 quarterfinalist Superior Central 4-0.

Katie Parrota and Jordan Schwartz, another World Series standout, can also pitch. Parrota plays third and Schwartz shortstop, giving the Rockets a solid left side infield.

Gaylord St. Mary beat Johannesburg-Lewiston 4-2 for the district title, overcoming four errors and two runs in the first inning. Kristi Ellison, a power pitcher, allowed two hits and struck out nine.

St. Mary and Onaway shared the title in the relatively weak Ski Valley Conference.