Gladstone senior Rex Kelly secures a fly ball for an out during a game against Escanaba on April 19, 2024 at Al Ness Field. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — There were plenty of opportunities for Gladstone baseball as it fell 4-3 to Marquette on Thursday night at Don Olson Field.

The Braves got the lead-off batter on base in six of the seven innings and left 11 runners on base.

Marquette drew back-to-back walks to start the game and Mikey Miller reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Brody Caster hit a sacrifice fly to left to score a run and Nick Pantti also came through with an RBI single and the Sentinels led 2-0. Aiden McCollom scored on a wild pitch by Gladstone pitcher Isaac Ketchum and Marquette extended its lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the first inning, Braves junior Casey Alworden reached on a lead-off single to start the inning. The next three batters were sent down one, two, three to end the inning.

In the second inning Marquette added to it’s lead, as McCollom grounded into a fielder’s choice, but a run scored and Marquette led 4-0.

Gladstone junior Gavin Frossard hit a lead-off single for the Braves to start the second inning. Senior Rex Kelley hit a double to deep centerfield but Frossard was thrown out at the plate and it remained 4-0 in favor of Marquette.

In the bottom of the third inning the Braves loaded the bases on singles by Kaden Gibbs and Alworden and a walk by Nate Young but left the bases loaded as Frossard flew out to left to end the inning.

“Mother nature didn’t do us any favors in the first inning tonight,” Braves coach Tyler Swanson said. “You can’t use that as an excuse. They made plays. We had bases loaded in two innings and came up empty.”

The Braves got on the board in the sixth inning as Kelly scored on a passed ball and Young singled on a line drive to centerfield to score a run and the Braves cut the deficit to 4-2 after six innings.

Kelley delivered on a single to left in the seventh inning to pull the Braves to within one at 4-3. “It felt good to have a night like this on Senior Night,” Kelly said. “It’s a good program here, I enjoy playing with these guys I’ve loved every second of my time here.”

Pepin struck out and Owen Mattonen flew out to end the game.

Gib Jezewski got the win, allowing two runs on nine hits with one strikeout and two walks.