Posen?s eight-game winning streak ends

The Viking baseball team had its eight-game winning streak snapped Saturday at the A-P Super Service tournament in Rogers City. Posen (10-4, 3-3) won the second half of a doubleheader against Hale April 22 and then proceeded to sweep Oscoda, St. Ignace, and Mio. Alcona forfeited its game against Posen at the Rogers City tournament for win number eight, before the streak ended in a 9-2 loss to the Hurons. It?ll be one of the busiest weeks of the season for coach Pat Kowalski?s players.

THE VIKINGS will travel to Arenac Eastern today looking to improve on their 3-3 North Star League record. They?ll participate in the Mackinaw City tournament Saturday, visit Fairview Monday, and then host Alcona Tuesday. In the recent streak, Posen won two come-from-behind victories. Jesse Romel struck out six batters at St. Ignace April 28 and Russ Kamyszek went three-for-three in a 12-11 win against the Saints. The Vikings were trailing 9-7 when Romel was called in to toss three innings of relief to earn his second win of the season on no defeats, while fellow senior Kamyszek knocked in four runs. Another senior, Luke Hentkowski, was two-for-two with two RBI. Junior Nick Goupell was one-for-one with four RBI and a double.

Freshman Brandon Hentkowski was given the start in game two against St. Ignace and didn?t waste the opportunity. He picked up his first win as a starter, allowing five hits and five walks, but striking out four, in the 6-1 win. The one run was earned by the Saints. His teammates helped out with solid play in the field and at the plate. Luke Hentkowski, Brandon?s brother, delivered two hits, while junior Matt Ponik was two-for-three with three RBI.

THE FIRST game against Mio provided an exciting finish. Trailing by one run in the bottom of the sixth, Posen had the bottom of its batting order coming up. Junior Tony Swan provided a huge spark after crushing a two-strike pitch over the head of the centerfielder for a double. While he got thrown out on a fielder?s choice, he is credited with bringing the Viking

s to life. Jesse Romel had an RBI single to knock in Brandon Hentkowski to tie the game at six. Ponik then brought in Dave Karschnick after the Thunderbolt shortstop couldn?t handle the ball. Posen won, 7-6. Kamyszek improved to 4-1 and his line was: seven hits, six earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts. The defense behind the lefthander was rock-sold with no errors. The fielders continued playing well in the second game of the twin-bill with Mio, with again no errors, but it was the ?Matt Ponik Show? as the junior struck out 12 batters, allowed only two hits, and knocked in both of the runs in the 2-1 win.

PONIK STROKED a double to tie the score at one in the bottom off the third and then blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth for the game winner. The home run, which was Ponik?s first of the season, was 30 field over the leftfield fence. At the Rogers City Tournament, Alcona edged the Vikes 3-2, but the Tigers used an ineligible pitcher who had too many innings under his belt. The game had to be forfeited. Then against Rogers City, Kowalski said things fell apart, and the boys started ?playing like the Bad News Bears.? Posen had six errors. Ponik took the loss in the contest as Rogers City won the tourney.