GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Indians discussed the importance of winning their first post-season baseball game this week.

They did just that here Thursday night in an 11-4 triumph over the Dickinson County Greens in an American Legion zone tournament opener.

“We figured winning the first game was a must,” said Indians’ manager Scott Kwarciany. “This was a good overall effort by the team, and the guys turned a double play in the sixth inning, which really helped us.”

Travis Mack, Casey Alworden and Aedan Creten combined on that play, giving the Greens two quick outs moments after Evan Haferkorn scored to bring them within 9-4.

Creten gave the Indians a 9-1 advantage on a throwing error in their half of the sixth before the Greens scored three times in their half of the inning.

Gladstone (11-11), which hosted Copper Country and Menominee Friday, took a 3-0 lead in the opening frame of Thursday’s contest.

Cam Kelly’s single to centerfield gave Gladstone its first run, and Creten added a two-run double to left.

Sawyer Pugh then scored Dickinson County’s first run on a wild pitch in its half of the inning.

Gladstone, taking advantage of four walks, hiked its advantage to 6-1 in the third and made it 7-1 on Creten’s sacrifice fly to center in the fourth.

“There’s something to be said about old-school baseball, and they bunted, stole bases and got runs in,” said Greens manager Jeff McLean. “This was vintage Gladstone baseball. They won fair and square.”

Both teams finished with six hits. Creten led the Indians with two. Haferkorn and Pugh had two apiece for the Greens, who faced Menominee and Copper Country at Don Olsen Field on Friday.

Darmogray, who pitched six innings, took the win. He struck out three and walked five before reliever Travis Mack retired the Greens in order in the seventh.

“The Darmogray kids pitched real well, and I thought Travis Mack was outstanding at shortstop,” said McLean. “They’re a young team. The sky’s the limit for them. I thought we battled real well. We had opportunities in the first two innings.”

Dickinson County stranded seven base runners, including five in the first two frames. Gladstone left eight on the base paths.

Isaac Lorenzoni, the first of four Dickinson County pitchers, absorbed the loss. He fanned three, walked five, hit two batters and allowed seven runs on four hits through 3 2/3 innings.

The four Greens hurlers combined to walk 11 and hit three batters.

“Their starter is a solid pitcher,” said Kwarciany. “He just struggled tonight. We’ve always been a team that runs the bases well. It feels great to win that first tournament game, but we can’t rest on that. Copper Country has a very good team, and Menominee is solid.”

The tournament wraps up today with semifinals at Escanaba and Gladstone at 11 a.m. followed by the championship game at Esky at 2 p.m.