Hurons keep winning streak alive with double win in Newberry

Rogers City kept its winning streak alive in the cold and win of Newberry, taking a doubleheader from the Indians by a football-ish score of 19-11 in the first game and 6-5 in the nightcap. Joe Finch started and got the win, pitching the first two innings. John Rhode threw three innings and Dustin Hein worked the final frame. Rhode, Bret Karsten, and Matt Peacock each had three hits in the frigid temperatures of the U.P. Coach Howard Madsen?s charges came from behind in the bottom of the sixth to take the win in game two.

?The key hit was an RBI single by Scott Grulke that scored Jordan Zempel,? Madsen said. Zempel had three hits in the game. Rogers City trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning before rallying for the victory, as temperatures dropped even further. Hein earned the win on the mound.

THE HURONS took advantage of a great chance to play games on a professional baseball team?s field Saturday. Maple City Glen Lake hosted a four-team tournament on the home field of the Traverse City affiliate of the Frontier League, the Beach Bums. Rogers City used speed to win the first game, 1-0, over the Clare Pioneers. The only run of the game came in the Huron fifth inning. Karsten led off with a walk, stole second, and stole third. While attempting the steal of third, the Clare catcher?s throw sailed into left field, allowing Karsten to trot home with the game?s only run. Finch used his 65 pitches efficiently and the Huron defense, playing on the artificial surface, stayed strong. Finch faced just 20 batters in six innings, allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five. ?We played great and Joe pitched very well,? Madsen said. The only Clare threat came in the third inning after a lead-off triple. Finch struck out the number eight hitter, got the last batter in the order to pop out to him and then struck out the lead-off hitter.

The Hurons won the championship game 4-3 over the LeRoy Pine River Bucks. Rogers City scored first in the first. With two out Zempel walked and moved to third on Rhode?s single. Rhode stole second base and both runners came home on Grulke?s single to right. Pine River scored one in the first and one in the second off Grulke, who pitched the first three innings. He left after allowing three hits, and three walks and notching one strikeout.

Karsten started the winning rally in the Huron half of the first inning after he was hit by a pitch and scored on Scott Kowalewsky?s triple to the gap in left-center. Kowalewsky scored on Zempel?s triple. Finch got the win in the game in relief, working the last three innings. He allowed four hits, one walk and a run.

AGAINST POSEN last Thursday, the

Hurons took both ends of a doubleheader by scores of 5-2 and 16-2. Leadoff man and center fielder Bret Karsten did his job in the first game. He walked three times, stole two bases and scored three runs. Grulke drove in a run with a double in the second inning. Rhode got the win on the mound going all six innings while allowing four hits. The Hurons rang up 11 runs in the third inning of the second game, winning 16-2. Karsten had four walks and scored all four times up, with two coming in the big inning. Sophomore catcher Pat Quaine had two hits and drove in two runs. Kevin Fairbanks started and earned the win.

The Hurons play a makeup doubleheader Tuesday against Alcona. Rogers City hosts the district tournament playing Posen in the first game of the May 31 at 10 a.m. The winner will play the winner of the noon game between Hillman and Onaway.

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