ESCANABA — A big third inning made a world of difference for the Gladstone Major Little League (age 10-12) All-Stars here Monday night as they posted a 12-7 softball triumph over Iron Mountain North in the District 10 tournament.

The victory sent Gladstone to Tuesday’s championship round against Escanaba at Lemerand Park.

At stake was a trip to the state tournament which begins July 10 at St. Clair.

Gladstone, which trailed 2-1 after the second frame, scored six times in the third.

“Our pitcher (Ellie Sanville) got out of a jam in the second inning, which was huge,” Gladstone head coach Brenda Damitz said. “We have a good group of pitchers and catchers. They talk to each other and make changes when needed.”

Iron Mountain loaded the bases with nobody out in the second, but was unable to capitalize.

Gladstone took a 3-2 lead on a two-run triple to leftfield by Maia Hughes.

Hughes then scored on Sanville’s single to center for a two-run cushion.

Sanville made it 5-2 on a wild pitch and Vivienne Lewandowski scored Gladstone’s sixth run on a fielder’s choice.

Moments later, Emymersyn Whitney gave Gladstone a 7-2 advantage on a passed ball.

“We hung with them, but that’s a good team,” North coach Travis Johnson said. “They were hot, although we also had runners on base. The opportunities were there.”

Gianna Newberry started Iron Mountain’s fourth with a single to left and eventually scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-3.

Gladstone answered with two runs in the fifth and Iron Mountain got one back in its half of the inning.

In the sixth, Gladstone’s Izzy Kidd raised the count to 10-4 on a single to left. Stella Ruther drove in its 11th run on a double to right and Lillian Elliot’s double to left made it 12-4.

A single by Newberry drove in a run for North, which scored three in the bottom of the sixth.

“I thought the girls played good tonight, although we made some errors,” Johnson said. “Overall, this was a fun tournament and the girls enjoyed it.”

Newberry pitched the entire contest for Iron Mountain and Sanville and Hughes shared the mound duties for Gladstone.

Damitz said she was excited for Tuesday’s title round.

“It’s a great game when we play Escanaba,” she added. “You never know what to expect.”