Gladstone players celebrate a home run by freshman Maddy Sundquist (25) against Houghton on May 3, 2024 at Gladstone High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — A well-rounded team effort led Gladstone softball to a pair of victories, 10-5 and 10-0 over the Houghton Gremlins on Friday.

The Braves got off to a hot start in game one. Lauren Sundquist reached on a dropped third strike and Reece Herioux singled on a flyball to left, while Montgomery Pepin drew a walk that loaded the bases. After a pop-out by Samantha Drielick, Rylee Gerow singled on a ground ball to score a run and the Braves led 1-0. Freshman Maddy Sundquist hit a grand slam home run to extend the Braves lead to 5-0. “It felt really good,” Maddy Sundquist said. “It feels good to know that hard work and extra hours are paying off.”

The Braves added to the lead in the bottom of the third inning, as Drielick hit a lead-off single, followed up by a single by Gerow and both runners advanced on a throwing error. Maddy Sundquist hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield and the Braves led 6-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning with runners on second and third, Pepin hit a two-run double to centerfield to extend the Braves lead to 8-0.

The Gremlins fought back in the top of the fifth, drawing a pair of walks to start the inning. Delaney Salmi scored on a wild pitch and after another walk surrendered by the Braves Aydra Williamson scored on a wild pitch. The Gremlins were able to cut their deficit to 8-5 going into the bottom of the fifth but that would be as close as they would get. “It feels really good to be back at home,” Braves’ coach Rick Pepin said. “We are trying to put all the pieces together and play our best softball as we get to the end of May.”

In game two, the Braves loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning and Gerow grounded into a fielders choice to score a run. Maddy Sundquist hit a single to left to score another run and the Braves led 2-0.

In the bottom of the second after a RBI single by Lauren Sundquist, Pepin smashed a flyball to left that bounced off and over the fence for a three-run home run and the Braves extended the lead to 6-0.

Gerow got the win on the mound giving up zero runs on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks. “It felt really good today,” Gerow said. “I took a break from pitching so it just feels good to get back out there and get into the groove.”

The Braves return to action Tuesday as they travel to Negaunee.