STANDISH-STERLING - May 12, 2008 - Tawas Area's pitchers gave up just one earned run in Monday's 16-inning doubleheader at Standish-Sterling.

The Panthers didn't give up any.

"Our pitchers just threw gems," said SSC coach Rod Russell. "Tawas is a good-hitting team. They even hit (Ogemaw's Rick) Dodridge a little. (Dewey) Milan, (Brad) Bialabrzeski and (Kevin) Turner did a great job."

SSC put up a single run in each game to twice beat the Braves and lock up a share of third place in the NEMC, tied with John Glenn.

The opener took nine innings as SSC's Milan and the Braves' Alex Verlac locked horns in a fast-moving pitcher's duel.

Verlac was brilliant, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 10. Milan gave up on ehit in seven innings and struck out nine, but gave way to Brad Bialobrzeski after a pulled muscle ended his outing.

The Panthers got the break they needed in the bottom of the ninth when Jason Kandal reached base on an error. Kandal stole second and by the time Ryan Donahue came up with two outs was standing on third base.

Donahue, who had a game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning a week earlier to beat John Glenn, golfed a low Verlac pitch into right field to drive home Kandal.

Shaun Jordan and Scott Krasinski had the Braves' hits. Bialobrzeski earned the win with two one-hit innings of pitching.

In the second game, SSC took the lead right off as Jesse Potts singled in the first and Kandal drove him home with an RBI double.

From there, Tawas Area's Jesse Siwek was pretty much untouchable and finished with a six-hitter.

But Turner was even better, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out nine. Justin Bielby had the Braves' lone hit, but most innings went one-two-three as Turner stayed in control

SSC improved to 15-8 overall (8-4 NEMC) while Tawas fell to 12-8 (4-8).