CADILLAC - May 17, 2008 - Ogemaw Heights didn't let the absence of four key players slow it down at Saturday's Cadillac Invitational as the Falcons won the tournament, defeating Reed City 10-2, Kingsley 8-0 and Unionville Sebewaing 6-2.

The Falcons got solid pitching on all fronts as Anthony Betancourt, Blaine Powley and Rick Dodridge combined to throw 16 innings without allowing an earned run and giving up just eight hits for the day.

"The pitching was outstanding," said Ogemaw coach Jeremiah Peace. "Blaine, Rick and Anthony controlled the games."

Betancourt gave up four hits and two unearned runs in the opener, which the Falcons broke open with a six-run sixth inning. Kelvin Page had two hits, including a double; Betancourt added two hits; Jarritt Orlando had two hits and two RBIs; and Alex Jennings had a double to lead the Falcons.

Powley tossed a two-hit shutout in the 8-0 victory over Kingsley, walking three and striking out six. Ogemaw got off to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Chris Hebert had two hits and Jennings had four RBIs.

In the title-clinching win over USA, Aaron Kihn's three-run home run in the fifth inning was the final nail in the coffin as Dodridge shut out the Patriots on two hits. Betancourt and Orlando each had two hits, including a double apiece, and Betancourt drove in two runs.

"Going into it without Jake Wangler, Andrew Funsch, Tyson Dantzer and Michael Noffsinger we knew we'd need some of the younger kids we usually bring with us to step in and play a role," Peace said. "Today they all did a great job: Chris Hebert had two hits, Anthony Zettel had a hit and an RBI and so did John Hughes. Charlie Murdock and Dylan Jackson ran the bases well."

In addition to getting some of the younger kids some varsity experience, Peace hopes that the Falcons (23-8) can get in the habit of playing well in Saturday tournament, which hadn't happened early in the season.

"It's important for us to start playing with and sustaining intensity for long periods of time on Saturdays, since that's the only way we can move forward," he said. "We have six games left and our focus is to keep playing good ball and be ready for Standish (to open the district tournament) come May 31."