ALPENA – July 17, 2005 – West Branch’s Senior League all-star baseball team had little trouble with a weakened Alpena squad on a day-night doubleheader Sunday, winning 11-1 and 10-0 to clinch a sectional berth.

The only two teams representing District 8 squared off at Alpena High school, and after weathering a 75-minute rain delay West Branch quickly established its superiority, scoring three runs in the first inning as Matt Faiman had an RBI double, Troy Lambert hit and RBI single and Kyle Wangler drove home a run with a groundout.

Lambert hurled a two-hitter, striking out nine.

“Their team was a little watered-down,” said coach Dr. Mark Weber. “They moved some of their 16-year-olds up to their Big League team. They could have fielded a much better team, but I think with the pitching we have we still would have beaten them.”

Ricke Dodridge tossed a 10-strikeout one-hitter in the second game as West Branch needed just five innings to put the mercy rule into effect.

Faiman and Michael Noffsinger led the West Branch hit parade, with Faiman piling up six hits on the day.

The West Branch defense didn’t commit an error in either game.

West Branch will play a best two-of-three sectional at Cheboygan High School, with a doubleheader Saturday, July 23 at 12:30 p.m. and a series-deciding game Sunday if necessary. The sectional winner will advance to the state tourney.