GLADSTONE — Being young doesn’t always mean you’re inexperienced.

Such is the case at Gladstone as its softball team progresses through another softball season.

The Braves have 15 on their team, including 13 underclassmen.

Gladstone, which has no seniors and just two juniors, is 12-4 heading into Monday’s doubleheader against Kingsford at 4:30 p.m.

The teams met in a twinbill Wednesday at Kingsford where the Braves dropped the opener 7-3, then bounced back in a 20-5 rout of the Flivvers in the nightcap.

“We’re a young team, but we’ll have exactly the same team next year,” coach Scott Herioux said. “We have a lot of sophomores who have experience and played in last year’s (Division 3) state quarterfinals. They’re competitive. Our offense has been pretty strong.”

The Braves finished 31-5 a year ago after dropping a 1-0 decision to Clare in the quarterfinals.

“We lost a three-time all-state catcher from last year,” Herioux said. “Yet, we’ve been in the meaningful games and won many of them.”

Returning juniors are catcher/third-baseman Maddie Sundquist and centerfielder Emma Trombley, both of whom were All-Great Northern Conference selections last season.

“They’re going to have to play a leadership role for sure and we need our sophomores to step up and become leaders,” Herioux said.

Sophomore Lauren Pare and freshman Addy Sanville are sharing the pitching duties.

“Lauren is our No. 1 pitcher and a pretty good hitter,” Herioux said. “Addy also pitches a lot and is hitting pretty well. Defensively, we’re pretty good and we’re hitting quite well and our pitching is coming along. There’s a lot of stuff we can improve on. It’s a matter of doing what they need to do. They have to figure things out. We’ve got to come ready to play.”

Additional sophomores include second-year shortstop Ava Goodman, first-baseman Malia Quigley, rightfielder Tiahna Reynolds and leftfielder Hope Reath.

“Malia played in the outfield last year,” Herioux said. “She’s still learning her role on defense, but hitting really well. The other kids are contributing.”

Herioux points to Escanaba as the team to beat in the GNC and Negaunee as the favorite in the Mid-Peninsula Conference.

“Both have great programs,” he said. “They’re always going to be competitive. Marquette has a good pitcher and Kingsford has a pitcher who’s pretty good and Dale’s (coach Olsen) program has gotten better over the years at Menominee.”

The remaining schedule:

May 4 — Kingsford; May 6 — at Marquette; May 7 — Negaunee; May 9 — Swetkis Memorial Strikefest at Escanaba; May 11 — at Escanaba; May 14 — at Norway; May 20 — Menominee; May 21 — Escanaba; May 29 — Division 3 district at Menominee.