By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac and Midland both took difference avenues to staying alive in the Michigan Senior Baseball State Tournament at Russom Field on Saturday.
Midland cruised to a 6-1 victory over Melvindale in the morning game, while Dowagiac scored two runs with two outs to win the noon game over Gladstone, 5-4.
Both Melvindale and Gladstone are now out of the tournament.
Dowagiac advances to play the loser of this afternoon's Harper Woods-Eastwood championship quarterfinal.
That game is slated for 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Midland gets the loser of tonight's final game, a match up between West Branch and Grand Rapids Southern. That game will begin at noon.
Gladstone…4
Dowagiac…5
Dowagiac rallied from a 4-3 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning to remain alive in the state tournament.
Dowagiac's Keith Prak delivered a two-out, two-run doubles to drive in the tying and winning runs.
Gladstone looked to be on its way to surviving another day when it scored a run in the top half of the seventh inning.
However, Dowagiac's Matt Dodson singled to begin the comeback. Dodson was replaced by pinch runner Nick File, who stole second. Two outs later, File looked as if he was going to be tagged out heading to third, however, he was called safe after it looked like the Gladstone third baseman missed him on two attempts.
Meanwhile, Troy Stover was safe on a fielder's choice.
With File at third and Stover at second, Prak laced a ball down toward the left field corner which just eluded the Gladstone outfielder's glove allowing File to score and Stover a chance reach home safely.
A strong relay was not enough as Stover dove head first into home plate to give Dowagiac the victory.
Jason Fryman picked up the victory in relief of Dodson.
Dowagiac had just five hits off of Gladstone's Kyle Smith.
Jordan Huey had an RBI double, while Jake Cox also drove in a run with a single.
Gladstone led 2-1 before Dowagiac scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead.
A solo home run by Gladstone's Kevin Thompson knotted the score at 3-3 in the top of the sixth.
Smith added a double for Gladstone, which finished with seven hits.
Game 6
Gladstone 010 011 1 - 4 7 2
Dowagiac 001 020 2 - 6 5 5
Jason Fryman (W), Kyle Smith (L)
2B: Smith (G), Huey (D), Keith Prak (D)
HR: Thompson (G)
Melvindale…1
Midland…6
Midland scored five runs over the first two innings and never looked back in sending Melvindale packing Saturday morning.
Midland scored three times in the bottom of the first to erase a 1-0 Melvindale lead.
Midland added two runs in the bottom of the second and completed the scoring with a run in the fourth.
Travis Beck took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before surrendering two hits.
Thomas A'Hearn had two hits to lead a balanced Midland offense which finished with eight hits.
Mike Nasceif had a double for Melvindale.
Thomas Roberts suffered the loss with relief help from Zack Fowler.
Game 5
Melvindale 100 000 0 - 1 2 4
Midland 320 010 x - 6 8 0
Travis Beck (W), Thomas Roberts (L)
2B: Mike Nasceif (MEL)