GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Indians unleashed a 16-hit attack, needing just five innings to romp past Niagara, Wis. 14-1 in American Legion baseball on Wednesday.

Tyler Darmogray, who went 3-for-3 and got hit by a pitch in the second frame, has reached base in all nine plate appearances this season while helping the Indians improve to a 2-0 overall record.

Trevor Thorbahn also finished 3-for-3 for Gladstone, which visits the Escanaba Cubs tonight at 7 p.m. for the traditional Johnson/Erickson Memorial tournament opener.

“We played everybody, which is good,” Gladstone manager Joe Darmogry said. “Also, everybody hit the ball well. The kids are really committed to the game and they’re getting more comfortable. I’m happy with where they’re at right now.”

The Indians scored four times in each of the first three frames and added a pair of runs in the fourth.

They gained a 4-0 cushion on Thorbahn’s two-run double to centerfield in the opening frame.

Thorbahn then scored Gladstone’s fifth run on a sacrifice fly by Cooper Sanville in the second.

Austin Pepin added a two-run double to left for a 7-0 advantage. Gavin Frossard scored on a double steal to make it 8-0.

Blake Holmes scored Niagara’s run on Blake Flaminio’s single in the third.

“We haven’t pulled it together yet,” Niagara manager Brad Richtig said. “We’re also not in a rhythm yet. Our bats aren’t where we need them to be.

“We have veteran leadership, but we’re just trying to get our feet wet.”

Alworden, Pepin and Sanville, who rapped a two-run single to left in the third, added two hits apiece for the Indians who are hosting Johnson/Erickson tournament games this weekend.

Gladstone’s Aedan Creten added a two-run double to right in the third.

The Badgers finished with four hits, including a leadoff triple into the rightfield corner by T.J. Beard in the third.

“T.J. had a great hit,” Richtig said. “He’s one of the few kids who’s coming along nicely.”

Trent Rutter and Cooper Curtis shared Gladstone’s mound duties.

Rutter worked 2.67 innings. He struck out two, walked one and surrendered one run on three Niagara hits. Curtis allowed one hit in 2.33 frames of relief.

“Trent and Cooper pitched real well,” manager Darmogray said. “We’re glad to see that.”

Hedman, the first of three Badger pitchers, absorbed the loss.

He fanned one, walked three, hit a batter and surrendered eight runs on five hits in 1.33 innings of work.

The Badgers (0-2), who committed two errors, visit Coleman, Wis. tonight prior to returning to Don Olsen Field this weekend.

The Indians had one miscue.