OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Apr. 23, 2009 - Ogemaw Heights had a chance to make a statement Thursday when the Falcons hosted Pinconning, but was the Spartans who did all the talking with their relentless hitting and shut-down pitching.

The Falcons were able to stay close for awhile in each game, but Pinny pulled away to take the opener 17-0 and the second game 14-1.

The Spartans led 3-0 after three innings of the first game, but scored seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings to enact the mercy rule after five frames.

Lucas Foco hurled a one-hitter, walking one and striking out 11.

"Their pitching was just tremendous," said Ogemaw coach Jeremiah Peace. "Foco pretty much just overpowered our lineup. He's really taken huge strides forward since last year and was really impressive."

Eric Noble took the loss for the Falcons.

"For us it's just a matter of kids taking the things they are learning into the game," Peace said. "We have another long stretch without a game, which isn't good because more than anything our kids just need to play more baseball and learn from the experience."

Pinny led 3-0 in the third inning of the second game as well, and the Falcons looked ready to get back in the game when Nick Thorson's RBI single scored Chris Bones.

That only served to awaken the Spartans, who again exploded in the fourth and fifth innings, this time for five and six runs, respectively.

Casey Pashak allowed one run on five hits, striking out six to earn the victory.

"He was able to get himself out of a couple of tough spots early with runners in scoring position," Peace said of Pashak. "He does a great job of staying composed and focusing in those situations.

"They were the better team, but we didn't help ourselves either. We made too many errors and walked too many of their guys. You can't really put that many kids on base and then be in a spot where you have to throw strikes, especially not to the middle of their order."

The Spartans, third-ranked in Division 2, improved to 15-0 on the season, 4-0 in NEMC play.

Glenn Watchorn started and took the loss for the Falcons, who fell to 4-5 (2-2) after having won their first four games of the year.

"It's been a tough five games," Peace said. "Our season is going to be defined by how we bounce back from this ... The kids need to step up and accept the challenge and we, as coaches, need to be just as accountable."