OGEMAW HEIGHTS - May 10, 2008 - Ogemaw Heights overcame a tough loss to open the day and the loss of their juniors and seniors late in the day to prom to go 2-1 in their home invitational on Saturday.

The Falcons dropped an 8-5 decision to Bay City All Saints but bounced back to edge Sparta 4-3 and beat Rogers City 12-4.

Ogemaw led All Saints 5-2 after 4-1/2 innings of the opener, but a six-run sixth-inning by the Cougars did the Falcons in.

"That was a tough loss," said Ogemaw coach Jeremiah Peace. "We were in control and seemed to be in good shape. Then their bats got hot in the fifth and they went ahead on us."

Six different Falcons had one hit apiece in that game, with Anthony Betancourt and Kelvin Page each picking up doubles. Page also had two RBIs.

Eric Noble pitched into the fifth inning and took the loss, allowing nine hits and striking out five without walking a batter.

The Falcons put together one of their best efforts of the season in the victory over Sparta. Blaine Powley tamed the Sparta Bats with a complete-game allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six.

"Blaine has really taken a big step forward this year on the mound," Peace said.

Alex Jennings' two-run home run in the fourth inning put the Falcons ahead for good.

"Alex had worked hard the past few weeks correcting some things with his swing," Peace said. "We wanted him to get some at-bats going into today. It worked out well."

Aaron Kihn and Tyson Dantzer each added doubles and Kelvin Page had a triple.

In the final game of the day against Rogers City, the Falcons played without most of their juniors and seniors. Two freshmen and four sophomores were in the starting lineup and nine underclassmen saw action at some point in the game.

"I always like getting to see how these young guys respond when they get a chance to compete," Peace said. "They played a great game."

Josh Gildner earned the win, giving up three earned runs on five hits while striking out seven.

"(Patrick) Roy, (Jarritt) Orlando and Jennings all swung the bat well," Peace said. We got some other kids in there. Chris Hebert picked up an RBI, John Hughes got on base twice, stole a base and scored a run, Jason Middleton got his first taste (of varsity action), and Erick 'Crazy Legs' Noble picked up his first hit, a two-run double.

"They had a lot of fun competing and it left us with a good feeling."

The Falcons improved to 16-8 and travel to Whittemore-Prescott on Monday, needing a sweep to share the NEMC title with Pinconning.

"It's a big one Monday," Peace said. "Three (titles) in a row hasn't been done at OHHS before. It's something special and you better believe the kids know it and want to have that mark on this school."