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The Kalkaska softball team hosted regional play Saturday, advancing to the final, before losing 6-1 to Gladstone in the final.

The Blazers faced Lake Michigan Conference foe East Jordan in the opening game. They split the regular season with the Red Devils, losing 3- 2 and winning 9-2 in the second game. This time they had just one game, and couldn't lose the opener.

Marissa Taylor pitched the game for Kalkaska, allowing just three hits and leading the Blazers to a 6-1 victory. They scored four runs in the first inning; on hits from Bernadette Gillespie, Katie Krause, Kara Ponstein and Courtney Kooistra. In the second inning, they scored another pair of runs, putting the game out of East Jordan's reach.

The win put Kalkaska in the regional final, to face another team it split with this season - Gladstone. Gladstone defeated Whittemore-Prescott 8-5 in its opener.

Taylor again pitched for the Blazers, who got out to an early lead again. Gillespie had another first-inning hit, and scored on a Kaiti Jones hit. Unfortunately for them, it was the only offense they could muster.

Megan Dunn, Maria Harbour and Amber Huddleston had hits for the Blazers, but were unable to score again. Meanwhile, Gladstone scored a pair of runs in the second, then put the game away with a four-run sixth inning, for a 7-1 win. Kalkaska finished the season 25-11, and was 10-4 in the league, good for second place.

Coach Rik Ponstein says hosting the event was a benefit, and he looks forward to having all but three current players, eligible for next season.

"It was great to be able to play this game at home, and have the support of our fans," he said. "We have a superb facility and we are proud of it."