GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Minor Boys’ Little League All-Stars (age 8-10) seized the momentum at an opportune time here Thursday night as they rallied past Escanaba 7-6 in seven innings in the area baseball tournament.

The victory sends Gladstone to the District 10 tourney at Norway where it will face the No. 1 seed of the Norway area tournament Saturday at 4 p.m.

Esky faced Tri-County in Friday’s area tournament finale at Howes Family Field, with the winner meeting the No. 2 seed from Norway Saturday at 2.

Mykey Runne dashed home with the game-winner moments on a wild pitch Thursday.

“That was pretty exciting,” said Gladstone manager Bekka Bruce. “It’s always exciting when Escanaba plays Gladstone. Only, I didn’t expect quite that much. This definitely adds to our win with that much hype. That was a great game for this age level. We had a plan, and the kids had a plan. I’m not sure they coincided, but it all worked out. To see him come across the plate with the winning run was awesome.”

Gladstone trailed 6-5 going into the bottom of the seventh, then took advantage of four walks.

Garrett Lanaville gave Esky the lead on a ground out to third by Cameron Jacques in its half of the inning.

Rosinski checked the baserunner, then threw the ball to first before Lanaville dashed across the plate with the go-ahead run.

Esky, cashing in on back-to-back fielding errors, scored three times for a 5-1 advantage in the fifth.

A two-run triple to centerfield by Scout Rosinski brought Gladstone within 5-3 in its half of the fifth.

Rosinski made it 5-4 on an error, and Jaxdon Quigley tied the score on a wild pitch.

“We’ve got to tip our hat to them,” said Esky manager Brandon Gagnon. “They wore our pitching down. I liked how our kids battled in the seventh.

“The middle of our lineup came through. We have six great pitchers. Only, we walked one batter too many. We also have a solid infield and a great outfield. These are young kids. They’re learning. We’ll be tougher in the next game. We’ll make it work.”

Amis retired Esky in order in the sixth.

Gladstone had a baserunner at second in the sixth before Esky elected to intentionally walk Rosinski, giving the home team runners on first and second with two out.

Vinny DeSalvo-Bougie then retired Quigley on a grounder to end the threat.

“When they gave us the intentional walk, I thought the game was over because that took away our most powerful hitter,” said Bruce. “We told the kids, ‘Do not let down,’ and we didn’t give up this time. I think the tension in this diamond is something the kids will always remember. Kudos to Escanaba. They’re always such a strong team.”

Amis scored Gladstone’s first run on a fielder’s choice in the opening frame.

Esky tied the contest on Braun’s single to center in the third and took a 2-1 lead on Blake Gagnon’s ground out in the fourth.

Braun had two of Esky’s five hits. Gladstone finished with four.

Amis, the last of four Gladstone pitchers, took the win. DeSalvo-Bougie, the fourth Esky hurler, absorbed the loss.