OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Apr. 14, 2008 - Standish-Sterling was on the verge of earning a split with Ogemaw Heights on Monday when it all went south for the Panthers.

SSC had built a 4-1 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth inning and seemed to have control of the game after Jason Kandal's fifth-inning home run.

But the Panthers made four errors in the sixth inning that led to the Falcons scoring three runs to tie the game.

Ogemaw then won it in the seventh after Michael Noffsinger led off with a double, stole third and came home on Anthony Betancourt's fielder's choice to first base.

The Falcons' 5-4 victory, coupled with a 6-1 win in the opener, gave Ogemaw a sweep of the doubleheader and set up next Monday's showdown with NEMC co-favorite Pinconning.

"At the end of the year, the close ones don't count any different than any of the others," said Ogemaw coach Jeremiah Peace. "The big thing that the teams the past couple of years has done, and that we did tonight, is that they never stop battling. They competed to the end, and Standish gave us an opening."

The Falcons' comeback made a winner out of Betancourt, who pitched a complete game and kept his composure after the Panthers touched him up early in the game. Betancourt allowed five hits and four walks and struck out five.

"Anthony pitched very well," Peace said. "He's been sharp, and obviously that's something we need."

Kenny Turner took the hard-luck loss for SSC, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out five. Only one of the five runs he allowed was earned.

The Falcons didn't need any help in the first game as Rick Dodridge tossed a two-hitter while striking out 18 batters. He walked one and gave up one unearned run while a Kansas City Royals scout watched from the Field of Dreams press box.

"He was lights-out," Peace said. "We hit the ball well that game, too."

Dodridge and Aaron Kihn clubbed home runs while Noffsinger, Betancourt and Jake Wangler each had doubles for the Falcons.

Dewey Milan took the loss for the Panthers, who got a triple from Jaron Trombley and a double from Jesse Potts.

The Falcons (4-0, 2-0 NEMC have a tough five-day stretch ahead of them that includes a doubleheader at Bay City All Saints, a very competitive tournament in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday and the critical doubleheader at Pinconning on Monday, April 21.

SSC (1-3, 1-3) hosts Gladwin on Thursday and travels to Whittemore-Prescott next Monday.