GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Indians got the start they wanted here Wednesday night in a 6-0 baseball triumph over Iron Mountain in an Upper Peninsula Under-19 League contest.

A three-run homer to left-centerfield by Dan Martin got the Indians going in the opening frame and Ryan Polley gave the Indians a four-run cushion on a throwing error in the second inning.

“This is the first time we started off hot this year,” said Indians manager Justin Jurek. “I think that got the guys more relaxed and they played with more energy once we got the lead.”

Winning pitcher Ian Schwalbach also did his part, providing the Indians (3-2) with one-hit pitching through six innings. Trevor Hanson retired the Golds in order in the seventh for the save.

Schwalbach struck out five and walked four, all in the second when Iron Mountain loaded the bases with two outs.

“He weathered the storm very well,” said Jurek. “Ian struggled a little in his last outing but he came back with a good outing, which is good for him.”

Iron Mountain threatened again in the third when Nolan Amundson poked a single to left and C.J. Bolo reached on an error with one out before Schwalbach retired the next two hitters.

Hanson gave the Indians a 5-0 advantage on a groundout to second by Dayton Bernson in the fifth and Polley’s single to left ended the scoring in the sixth.

The Indians collected six hits, including a pair by Caden Alworden, and took advantage of eight walks by three Iron Mountain pitchers.

Gannon Bray, who worked the first two innings, absorbed the loss. He walked three and allowed four runs on three hits.

Iron Mountain (6-4) committed two errors, but turned a pair of double plays. Gladstone had one miscue.

“We left too many runners on base (five combined in the second and third frames),” said IM manager Paul Julian. “Their pitcher was trying to figure out the strike zone. Once he did that, he did a nice job. Gladstone has a very good program. They’re well coached. Defensively, we did well.”

Iron Mountain’s outfielders, showing plenty of hustle all night, combined for seven put-outs.

“Julian (Jessie) ran down some nice balls,” said Jurek. “He made a perfect throw to third on a double play, which got them out of the (fourth) inning.”

Iron Mountain had a scheduled doubleheader versus Marquette at LiUNA Field Thursday night, and completed one game, falling to Marquette 3-0. IM’s next scheduled action is a doubleheader versus the Escanaba Cubs on Monday at 5:30p.m. at LiUNA Field.