Over the June 12th to 14th weekend, the Soo 18U Black Sox took part in the 2026 Gladwin Baseball Tournament in Gladwin, Michigan. The Black Sox were coming off a tough weekend on June 5th to 7th in Thunder Bay falling in all four games to the Lakers.

In game one of the weekend in Gladwin, a walk-off seals the deal in the Black Sox victory over American Legion Post 295.

The Black Sox took Friday’s game in dramatic fashion, with a 4-3 walk-off victory over American Legion t 1201 N Bowery Ave. The game was tied at three in the bottom of the seventh when an error scored one run.

A single by Chase Cerasuolo put the Black Sox on the board in the bottom of the second.

The Black Sox added one run in the third. The Soo scored on a wild pitch, making the score 2-0.

American Legion tied the game in the top of the seventh thanks to a double by Parker Duflo, and a single by Aiden Bunker.

Jakson Carroll earned the win for the Black Sox. The starter surrendered five hits and three runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out none and walking two. Vincent Lux took the loss for the American Legion. The hurler went two and one-third innings, allowing one run (zero earned) on one hit, striking out five and walking three. Blake Walcutt opened the game for the American Legion. The pitcher surrendered seven hits and three runs over four innings, striking out seven and walking two.

Lucas Carriere went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the Soo in hits. Lucas DiBerardino, Cerasuolo, and J.A Giallonardo each drove in one run for the Black Sox. The Soo turned one double play in the game.

Duflo drove the middle of the lineup, leading American Legion with two runs batted in. The catcher went 2-for-2 on the day. Duflo stole two bases.

Game two of the weekend on Saturday morning, the bats stymied for both teams as the Black Sox lost to the E.U.P Wood Ducks.

Both teams were strong on the mound on Friday, but E.U.P was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3-2 victory over the Soo. Jacob Scornaiencki started the game for the Soo and recorded 16 outs.

The Black Sox was right in it until the Wood Ducks grounded out in the sixth inning.

The Soo got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Lucas Carriere hit a sacrifice fly, and Ryan Oliver singled to center field, each scoring one run.

The E.U.P took the lead in the top of the sixth inning after Levi Mayer doubled down the left field line, and Trey Lynn grounded out, each scoring one run.

Michael Morse earned the win for the Wood Ducks. The right-handed pitcher gave up five hits and two runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking one. Scornaiencki took the loss for the Black Sox. The hurler went five and one-third innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out three and walking two.

Carriere and Oliver were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for the Soo. Kolton Tremblay, Carriere, Oliver, Aaron Keough, and Jakson Carroll each collected one hit for the Black Sox.

Lynn and Mayer were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for the E.U.P. Mayer, the Wood Ducks number seven hitter, led the team with two hits in three at-bats. Boo Hibbard stole two bases. The E.U.P turned one double play in the game. The E.U.P didn’t commit a single error in the field. Mac Collins had the most chances in the field with eight.

With one loss and one win, the Black Sox headed into game three to face the Gaylord Baseball Club 19U. The Soo triumphed over Gaylord Baseball Club 19U. The Soo were triumphant over Gaylord Baseball Club 7-5 on Saturday.

The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the second inning after Jakson Carroll walked, Kolton Tremblay singled down the right field line, Ty Cond grounded out, and Bryson Palahnuk singled to left field, each scoring one run.

The Soo added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Aaron Keough grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Henry Currie grounded out, each scoring one run.

Ryan Oliver earned the win for the Black Sox. The hurler surrendered five hits and three runs over one and one-third innings, striking out one and walking none. Tanner Basinski took the loss for Gaylord Baseball Club. The reliever went three and one-third innings, giving up zero runs on three hits, striking out four and walking one. Sam Samalik stepped on the hill first for Gaylord Baseball Club. The starting pitcher allowed three hits and seven runs (one earned) over two and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking four. Logan Rohe collected the save. Cond appeared in relief for the Black Sox.

Palahnuk drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Soo with two runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. The Black Sox turned two double plays in the game.

Gaylord Baseball Club tallied 11 hits in the game. Jacob Jones set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Gaylord Baseball Club with three hits in four at bats. Eli Switalski, Rylan Rosso, Jones, and Lucas Greenier each drove in one run for Gaylord Baseball Club.

On Sunday morning in Galdwin for game four of the weekend when they took to the diamond for a semi-final, the Black Sox met the Northern Michigan 16U Patriots with the Black Sox taking the lead and never looking back in the win over the Patriots.

The Soo easily dispatched Northern Michigan on Sunday, 12-0.

The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the first inning after Lucas DiBerardino tripled to center field, and Kolton Tremblay grounded out, each scoring one run.

The Soo added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Bryson Palahnuk singled to right field, Tremblay grounded out, Ty Cond walked, Jakson Carroll singled down the left field line, and Ryan Oliver singled, each scoring one run.
The Black Sox scored five runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. Lucas Carriere grounded out, scoring one run, Cond singled, scoring one run, and Carroll singled, scoring two runs.

Tremblay earned the win for the Soo. The starter gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking three. Hunter Pierce took the loss for the Patriots. The starter went two and one-third innings, allowing seven runs on three hits, striking out one and walking five.

DiBerardino and Carroll each collected two hits for the Black Sox. Tremblay and Carroll each drove in two runs for Soo. Palahnuk led the Black Sox with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying six walks for the game. The Soo turned one double play in the game. The Black Sox didn’t commit a single error in the field. Oliver had the most chances in the field with five.

Eion Eades went 1-for-1 at the plate to lead Northern Michigan in hits. The Patriots turned one double play in the game.

In their fifth and final game of the weekend in the championship on Sunday afternoon in Gladwin, the Black Sox faced the E.U.P. Wood Ducks for the second time during the tournament. The Wood Ducks entered the matchup with momentum after defeating the Black Sox in their first meeting earlier in the weekend.

SooBlackSox 18U couldn’t keep up with E.U.P Wood Ducks and fell 13-5 on Sunday.

A sacrifice fly by Mac Collins put the Wood Ducks on the board in the top of the first.

The E.U.P added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Gabe Bontrager grounded out, Bryce Mitchell doubled to center field, Darren Johnson walked, Cooper Jones singled down the right field line, Collins singled down the right field line, and Trey Lynn singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.

A double by Michael Morse extended the Wood Ducks lead to 9-0 in the top of the third inning.

The Soo scored five runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. J.A Giallonardo singled, scoring one run, Aaron Keough was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, a passed ball scored one run, Bryson Palahnuk singled, scoring one run, and Thomas Keough was struck by a pitch, driving in a run.

Mitchell earned the win for the E.U.P. The starting pitcher surrendered four hits and five runs (one earned) over three and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking four. Lucas Carriere took the loss for the Soo. The pitcher went one and two-thirds innings, allowing seven runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one.

The Black Sox Giallonardo, the number seven hitter, led the Soo with three hits in three at bats. Palahnuk, Keough, Giallonardo, and Keough each drove in one run for the Soo. The Black Sox turned two double plays in the game.

The Wood Ducks collected 14 hits in the game. Collins provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the E.U.P with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 on the day. Boo Hibbard, Jones, Lynn, and Collins each collected two hits for the Wood Ducks. The E.U.P turned one double play in the game.

Black Sox coach Mike Lebel told Saultsports that “what I was most proud of was that we were competitive in every game. The players kept grinding it out. Meaning that they kept putting pressure on the other team by putting the ball in play and with smart base running. Our pitching staff was outstanding. As a group they only allowed 11 runs in four games putting us into the Championship game.”

“One of the biggest challenges the players faced was the grind of playing five games in three days in the heat. That can take a toll on you mentally and physically. This was the first exposure for our rookies (16 year olds) competing against teams with some 19 year old players. The biggest thing that our players can take away from this past weekend is that if they execute the fundamentals they can compete with any team. This is another step on our journey to capture a provincial championship.”