BEAVERTON, Mich. — The Gladstone Braves opened their softball season on a high note here Saturday, earning a 5-1 victory over Unionville-Sebewaing in the title contest.

Montgomery Pepin fired a one-hitter and Lauren Sundquist had two hits.

Gladstone trailed going in the third inning, but tied the score on Sundquist’s single.

The Braves took the lead on Addie Trombley’s single and made it 3-1 on a single by Pepin before adding a pair of runs in the fifth.

Gladstone secured a spot in the championship game by taking a 5-0 decision from Tawas Area.

Tia Schone tossed a two-hitter and struck out nine.

Reese Herioux went 3-for-3. Sundquist, Schone and Pepin added two hits each and Aliana Martinez drove in two runs.

“Tia pitched extremely well,” said Braves’ coach Rick Pepin. “She had a lot of confidence in the circle and Samantha Drielick and Reese Herioux had a ton of confidence at the plate all day. They were tough outs.”

Schone’s walk-off double in the the sixth lifted the Braves past Ithaca 1-0.

Trombley doubled to leftfield moments earlier, then scored on Schone’s double.

Montgomery Pepin threw a two-hitter and fanned nine.

“We got into little bit of trouble in the first inning, then our defense turned a double play,” said coach Pepin. “All things considered with the tough conditions, this was a dress rehearsal for the rest of the season. Once we got over the first-game jitters, we played real well. One of the most encouraging things is how we hit the ball. Our experience and mental toughness showed.”

The Braves then dropped a 3-1 decision to Unionville-Sebewaing.

“A couple late errors decided the outcome,” said coach Pepin. “We hit the ball extremely well, but right at people.