PINCONNING - May 8, 2008 - What seemed improbable just a couple weeks ago became a reality Thursday for Pinconning as the Spartans clinched at least a tie for the North East Michigan Conference title with a 14-7 and 18-3 sweep of Whittemore-Prescott.

The victories ensure Pinny wins its 22nd straight league title after trailing the league leaders by as many as two games earlier in the season.

It didn't go easily for the Spartans against W-P in the first game, either. The Cardinals used a seven-run third inning to take a 7-1 lead in an inning highlighted by Sharesse King's two-run home run and Chelsea Jasman's two-run triple.

The lead didn't last long as Pinny scored three in the third and tied it on Kayla Kazmierski's three-run home run in the fourth. A six-run fifth wrapped things up for the Spartans.

Chelsea Adcock had two hits and scored three runs and Kayla Beck had a triple and two RBIs, while Samantha Bellhorn added two RBIs for the Spartans. Kazmierski picked up the win, allowing three earned runs on five hits and one walk with 12 strikeouts.

Cortney Bork  had two RBIs and Samantha Stachlewicz added one, while Julie Janish was tagged with the loss.

The second game was a continuation of the final four inning of the first as the Spartans romped, ending the game after three innings with a 10-run third.

Adcock had two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs; Beck had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs, Kelsey Bourcier had three hits and three RBIs, while Bellhorn and Shawna Vermeesch each had two hits and two RBIs.

The Spartans finished with a 9-3 league mark and await Monday's Standish-Sterling vs. Tawas doubleheader that will determine of they hold the NEMC title to themselves or will have to share.