SANFORD-MERIDIAN - May 3, 2008 - Pinconning may not be able to catch Ogemaw Heights in the North East Michigan Conference title chase, but the Spartans appear to be coming together the way coach Jeff Sanak intended after winning Saturday's Sanford-Meridian tournament.

Pinny topped Carrollton 11-3 and blanked Breckenridge 8-0 in a pair of five-inning games played under a modified (eight-run) mercy rule.

"We're hitting our stride," Sanak said. "Our pitching has really improved; the big thing is we're walking fewer people. And our bats are coming alive."

Mike Rezler won the opener against Carrollton, allowing three hits and striking out four.

Ryan Kleinhans had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs; Barrett Penix had two hits, including a double, and Steve Moore had two hits and two RBIs.

Moore tossed a three-hit shutout in the championship game, striking out three. he also hit a home run and a double and drove in three runs at the plate, while Lucas Foco added three hits.

Pinny (13-6) has NEMC doubleheaders with Oscoda and Whittemore-Prescott this week before hosting its home tournament on Saturday.