News Photo by James Andersen Rogers City base runner Alyssa Bowden, left, edges off of third base during a softball game against Hillman on Thursday at Gilpin Field in Rogers City. Playing third base for Hillman is Morgan Armon.

ROGERS CITY–The Rogers City softball teams’ power hitting was on full display Thursday and it helped the Hurons to two of their biggest wins to date.

Kayla Rabeau and Taylor Fleming hit two home runs each and the Hurons swept a North Star League doubleheader against Hillman 6-1 and 11-7 at Gilpin Field.

The wins keep the No. 4 Hurons (14-0, 6-0 North Star League) undefeated on the season, but it also gives Rogers City boost in a battle of two of the top Class D teams in the state as Hillman into the twinbill ranked fifth.

“It was a good doubleheader, they were good wins for us and there were two good teams playing,” Rogers City coach Karl Grambau said.

Rabeau’s three run home run to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning, broke the first game open and gave the Hurons a commanding 5-0 lead.

Earlier in the inning, Hance drove in a run on a fielder’s choice.

Hillman pitcher Vanessa Schook blanked the Hurons for the first two inning. The Hurons broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of third inning after Hance singled home Alyssa Bowden and Erika Peacock scored on a bases-loaded walk.

Hance shut down the Tigers for the first five innings and Hillman finished with a run on just two hits.

After a second inning walk, Hance retired the next nine batters before issuing another walk, this time in the fifth inning.

Hillman finally broke through with two outs in the fifth inning when Olivia Smith singled to score Andrea Taratuta.

The Tigers had a pair of runners on with two outs when leadoff hitter Lyndsey Ryba hit a roller back to the mound that bounced off Hance. The Hurons were able to recover on the play and threw Smith out at third base on a force out to end Hillman’s turn at the plate.

Eve LaFleche led off the sixth inning with a double, but Hance retired the next three batters to leave LaFleche on third base.

The Hurons turned up offensive intensity in the nightcap as they hit four home runs and took an 8-0 lead after two innings.

Hillman fought back late to bring the game within a run, 8-7, in the fifth inning, but Rogers City turned a double play to end Hillman’s turn at the plate and added three insurance runs in the bottom of the inning.

Rabeau hit a two-run home run in the first inning and two batters later, Taylor Fleming hit a two-run shot. In the second inning, Hannah Fleming hit a three-run home run and Taylor Fleming followed behind her with a solo shot.

“I think we’re swinging the bats pretty good, but we have to keep working and getting better,” Grambau said.

Hillman scored twice in the third inning, three times in the fourth and twice more in the fifth inning, but couldn’t pull any closer.

Kyrsten Altman earned the win for Hillman after pitching the first 2 2/3 innings.

Hance had two hits, Altman had a two-run hit late in the game, Hannah Fleming had three hits including her home run and Amanda Wirgau and Jordyn Schalk each had a hit.

Schook, Morgan Armon, Morgan Dove and Alison Samp each had two hits for Hillman and Dove took the loss for the Tigers.

Rogers City plays at Marlette tonight before playing in a tournament in Capac on Saturday.

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.