GLADSTONE — Hancock Bulldogs baseball pitcher Ben Kernanen threw a one-hit gem to lift his team to a Division 3 Region 17 championship Saturday morning, 3-0, over the Manistee Mariners.

The Bulldogs faced Traverse City St. Francis in the state quarterfinals in the afternoon, falling 15-2.

Keranen was the story from the opening pitch of the regional final. He struck out 11 batters, walked just two, and surrendered one hit to earn the win. At the plate, he helped himself out by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

It all started in the bottom of the first inning.

With two outs, Keranen stepped to the plate. He singled to center field on the fifth pitch. The Mariners attempted to pick him off, but failed to do so. Two pitches later, he stole second. He then advanced to third on a passed ball on the next pitch. Catcher Caleb Isaacson brought him home with a single to center.

The game remained 1-0 into the fourth.

Isaacson led off with a single to right field. Three batters later, second basemanLuciano Paoli singled to right field, scoring Isaacson in the process and giving Hancock a 2-0 lead.

Keranen battled his way through two straight 1-2-3 innings before leading off the sixth. He singled to center field to get things started. Isaacson drew a walk, but not before Keranen made his way to third via a stolen base at second and a passed ball.

Third baseman Brayden Larson grounded out, but Keranen was able to take advantage of the situation and score the insurance run from third.

GLADIATORS 15, BULLDOGS 2

Centerfielder Todd Kilpela did not record a hit, but he scored both runs as the Bulldogs dropped the state quarterfinal game to the Gladiators.

Shortstop Ben Keranen had the lone Bulldogs’ hit in the game, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Hancock trailed in the game, 10-0 before they finally got one across home plate in the bottom of the third.

Kilpela earned a walk to lead off. Second baseman Chase Keranen walked. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position before Ben Keranen hit into a double play. However, Kilpela scored before the play came to an end.

The Gladiators led 15-1 after the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom half, Hancock scored again.

With one out, Kilpela drew a walk. Two batters later, Ben Keranen drove the ball out into right field, scoring Kilpela in the process. However, a strikeout by Larson ended the game.

Nate Thompson got the start, going one inning, striking out two, walking five, and surrendering one hit. Isaacson came in for 3 1/3 innings of relief, striking out three and giving up eight hits.

Chase Keranen went 2/3 of an inning, striking out one.

Gladiators advance

With the win, the Gladiators advance to face Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest Thursday at 5 p.m. at McLaine Stadium in East Lansing.