Gladstone right fielder Julia Maki sprints to second base after drawing a walk against Kingsford on July 10, 2025 at Abrahamson Field in Escanaba.

ESCANABA — The Gladstone Minor Little League All-Stars (age 8-10) kept their postseason hopes alive here Wednesday, eliminating Kingsford 5-0 from the District tournament.

Gladstone advanced to the championship round where it faced Escanaba Thursday at Lemerand Park with the winner advancing to the state tournament at Cheboygan next weekend.

Maia Hughes helped Gladstone’s cause, tossing a three-hitter, recording 14 strikeouts and allowing just three walks.

“Maia did amazing,” Gladstone manager Brenda Damitz said. “The girls really needed that. It takes a toll on them when they lose a game. This definitely gives us momentum. It was a great effort all-around.”

Cassie Ashby scored the first run on Nora Clickner’s slow grounder to shortstop in the first inning.

Gladstone added three runs in the second, including one on Caroline Viau’s ground out to the pitcher for a 4-0 advantage.

Hadly Hammill scored the last run on a fielder’s choice in the fifth.

Zola Hilyard got Kingsford’s first hit on a single to leftfield, but was thrown out while trying to extend it into a double in the opening frame.

“That definitely set the tone,” Damitz said. “Once the girls find that mojo, they know they can do something and it brings them together, and we just had the right mojo today.”

Kingsford mounted a threat in the fourth when Lainey Wolf reached base on a fielding error, then later got thrown out at the plate.

In the fifth, Sierra Tatangelo drew a walk, but got stranded at third base.

Kingsford left six on the basepaths, including a pair in the sixth.

“The girls worked pretty hard,” Kingsford manager Tara Chartier said. “They cheered on the other girls and showed a lot of class. The effort and attitude was real good and they made a lot of good plays. Chloe Wetsel made a good catch at third and Gabbi Paoli helped keep one of their runners at first. We couldn’t ask for a better catcher than Corrine (Lukach). She helped us by throwing out a lead runner (in the sixth).”

Gladstone finished with five hits off Wolf, who fanned four and walked three.

“Our program is growing,” Chartier said. “We have a lot of potential in our area. We couldn’t have asked for a better outfield. We have a handful of girls moving up, but have seven coming back and a solid group coming up.”

Hughes doubled to left in the second. Ashby, Mari Quigley, Hamill and Viau also had hits for Gladstone.

Wetsel and Gianna Schmall added back-to-back infield singles for Kingsford in the second.