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In the driver’s seat

Hurons hold onto NSL lead with sweep of Oscoda

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Rogers City’s Matt Altman gets congratulated by first base coach Levi Ellenberger after Altman singled to right field during the third inning of game one in a North Star League doubleheader on Tuesday against Oscoda at Gilpin Field.

ROGERS CITY — With just four North Star League games remaining on the schedule, the Rogers City baseball team inched its way even closer to a league title as the Hurons improved to 12-2 in NSL play after sweeping Oscoda on Tuesday by scores of 4-0 and 4-2.

Rogers City pitcher Alex Altman escaped a first inning jam in game one as the Owls had runners on second and third with one out, but Altman got an infield pop up and struck out the final batter of the inning to get out of the jam and give the Hurons momentum headed into the home half.

Kaleb Budnik led off the bottom of the first with a double and scored a batter later when Brendan Koss reached on an error. Koss stole second and also came around to score when Deuce Tulgestka hit a one out RBI double. Tulgestka came around to score Rogers City’s third run of the inning when Matt Altman grounded out to the pitcher and Tulgestka took off for third and scored on an errant throw from first to third.

After getting out of the first inning jam unharmed, Alex Altman was in cruise control the rest of the way as he allowed just two hits the rest of the way as he tossed five innings of shut out ball as he allowed just four hits and struck out two in picking up the win.

Andrew Radke relieved Altman and pitched the final inning allowing just one hit.

Offensively, the Hurons were led by Jacob Hein who went 2-for-3 including a third inning RBI that put Rogers City ahead by four. Budnik, Tulgestka, Matt Altman, Caleb Karsten and Jacob Hilla each collected a hit in the game and Budnik, Koss, Tulgestka and Matt Altman each scored a run.

The Hurons got another strong outing on the mound in the nightcap as Hilla tossed a complete game and picked up the win. Hilla’s unique delivery had the Owls off balance all game as he allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out six in the complete game victory.

Despite being no-hit through the first three innings, Rogers City held a one run lead as Koss walked in the first, stole second and came around to score on an error.

Oscoda tied the game with a run of their own in the top of the fourth, but the Hurons broke out and answered with three runs on four hits in the home half. Hein and Matt Altman hit back-to-back one out singles and each moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt from Karsten to put runners on second and third with tow away.

The gamble paid off as Hilla singled home Hein and Tristan Baller drove in both Altman and Hilla with a two out single of his own to put Rogers City up by three.

The Owls scored another run in the top of the fifth, but just couldn’t put together enough offense as Rogers City threw strikes and made the plays defensively like they have all year to hang on for another NSL win.

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.

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