ARENAC EASTERN - April 28, 2005 - The Arenac Eastern baseball team didn't have the kind of North Star League opener it hoped for Thursday, dropping a pair of games to Mio 12-1 and 13-2.

"We played a horrible doubleheader," said AE coach Mike Sanchez. "We hadn't played a varsity game in two weeks, and it definitely showed. Although we have a very talented group of sophomores, because of being so young we're going to be inconsistent. So far this season that is what we have seen; our young pitchers are unhittable one day and can't throw a strike the next.

In the opener, 17 walks turned the game into a blowout despite the fact that AE pitchers gave up just four hits. Jerry Kosecki's RBI single scored Matt Cottrell in the first inning. Brian Langstaff took the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) in three innings, allowing one hit, walking four and striking out eight.

In the second game, eight walks and two hit batters contributed to the loss. Gage Morgan scored in the third on a passed ball, and and Kyle White's RBI single in the fifth scored Langstaff. Morgan took the loss on the mound, giving up three hits and six walks in five innings while striking out five and allowing five earned runs.

"Our goal," Sanchez said, " is to continue to play hard, gain some confidence, and be peaking at the end of May with an eye towards districts."

The Eagles dropped to 2-4, 0-2 in NSL play.