OGEMAW HEIGHTS - May 12, 2007 - Ogemaw Heights accomplished what it wanted to on Saturday, despite winning just one of three games.

After starting with a sloppy first game that proved costly in an 11-5 loss to Saginaw Heritage, the Falcons bounced back to hand fifth-ranked Sparta 7-2 defeat. The teams re-matched when Rogers City opted not to play in the third-place game, and with a much younger team on the field the Falcons fell 8-3 to the same Sparta squad.

The Falcons were without Rick Dodridge and Michael Noffsinger; Noffsinger may be out for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury sustained during the John Glenn game.

"Going 1-2 and saying you're pleased sounds horrible, but we're not healthy again and we know Monday (a league date) was much more important than today," said Ogemaw coach Jeremiah Peace. "(In the final game) I loved getting the future a glimpse of what it's going to be like for them. Today I got to see the best of what we can do and caught a glimpse of the promise we have in this program."

The Falcons were their own worst enemy at the start of the first game, when they gave up five runs in the opening inning -- "Five runs on mental mistakes," Peace said.

Anthony Betancourt settled down to throw a complete game, allowing six earned runs on 13 hits. The Falcons fought back to get within 6-5 in the fifth inning and loaded the bases in the sixth but couldn't get the tying runs across.

Matt Faiman, Aaron Kihn and Rob Goulette had the Falcons' three hits in the game.

The highlight of the day was a chance to face Sparta, which could be a state tournament opponent if the Falcons make a strong state tournament run. Ryan Bragg held the fifth-rated Spartans to four hits and two runs (one earned) to take the win.

"We wanted to come out and have our best game against Sparta," Peace said. "Bragg threw a gem. (Catcher) Aaron (Kihn) called a great game and Ryan was on today."

With Noffsinger on the bench, Mike Pacella got four hits and two stolen bases out of the leadoff spot to ignite the Falcon offense. Goulette, Faiman and Kihn each had two hits, with Faiman ringing up two doubles. Faiman and Kihn each had two RBIs.

"Faiman was patient," Peace said. "When he got his strike, he drove it hard."

When Rogers City decided not to play in the third place game, Ogemaw and Sparta decided to rematch, only this time with younger players on the field.

"We both threw all our our young guys out there," said Peace of the 8-3 Sparta victory. "Alex Jennings pitched four solid innings. Jake Wangler had his first varsity hit and a couple more defensive gems at first. Glenn Watchorn played very well behind the plate and caught his first baserunner stealing. Tyson Dantzer made an incredible diving catch in right field."

The Falcons (16-5) had their Monday contest against Whittemore-Prescott washed out by rain; they will play on May 21. Ogemaw plays Pinconning on Thursday at home needing one win to wrap up their second straight NEMC title; the Falcons shared the title with Pinny last season.