Gladstone freshman Tianha Reynolds (2) makes her way to home plate and is greeted by teammates during game one of a doubleheader against Marquette on April 17, 2025 at Braves Field at Gladstone High School. Reynolds hit her first career home run in this at bat. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — With two runners on base and two outs in the bottom of the sixth Gladstone freshman Tianna Reynolds stepped up to bat.

She was 1-for-3 at this point and had the chance to break game one of Thursday’s doubleheader wide open. Her first two swings were off the mark, strike one was fouled off and strike two was a swing and a miss.

At this point third base coach Brady Trombley had Reynolds make an adjustment. Have her front leg plant earlier, then swing. For a freshman it’s not always an easy adjustment to make on the fly.

But Reynolds adjusted.

On the next pitch she saw her front leg planted a tad earlier. She swung mightily like Thor swings Mjolnir in a battle on Asgard.

By the time her hit landed it cleared the left field fence, nearly shattering the windshield of a Chevrolet Silverado parked behind the fence.

It was not only Reynolds’ first varsity home run, but it gave the Braves a 9-0 lead in a 10-0 game one win in six innings.

“That’s a big deal for her, really,” Braves skipper Scott Herioux said of Reynolds home run. “She was able to put a sequence together and smoke the ball. Big moment for a freshman to do that.”

The Braves also took game two 12-1 in four innings.

Game one was sealed thanks to an RBI knock from yet another freshman. Malia Qiugley came through with an 0-2 base hit up the gut, scoring Alli Larson to claim the win.

Senior Tia Schone earned the win in the circle for the Braves, allowing three hits and striking out 11 across six shutout innings. She also went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI from the plate. Senior Lauren Sundquist turned in a 2-for-4 outing with three runs scored and a stolen base. Senior Brooklyn Pendegraft also produced a two-hit game.

Game two saw the Braves crank a total of 16 base hits, scoring six runs in the second, three in the third and two in the fourth.

Game two also saw freshman Lauren Pare continue to take positive steps forward.

Gladstone freshman Lauren Pare fires a pitch during game two of a doubleheader against Marquette on April 17, 2025 at Braves Field at Gladstone High School. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

She allowed one earned run off five hits with two walks and five strikeouts across five innings in her second varsity outing. She also 3-for-4 from the plate with an RBI.

“She’s pretty consistent. She throws with good pace, good location and she seems pretty gritty,” Herioux said of Pare. “We’re still trying to get to know her. She’s a freshman, we’ve only been together for a month. She’s had two good outings in a row. She’s pretty consistent, and she hasn’t gotten rattled.”

She wasn’t the only freshman to find success in game two.

Shortstop Ava Goodman finished 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Quigley added a RBI knock and Hope Reath earned a pinch-hit base hit and later scored.

“Our freshmen stepping up is a good thing,” Herioux said. “We’re getting a lot of contributions from our young kids early in the season. That’s very encouraging for sure.”

Lauren Sundquist finished 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Schone finished 3-for-3. Senior Alli Larson earned a double.

The Braves now shift their attention down state for guaranteed games against Reese, Ithaca and Beaverton this weekend.