by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

The Cardinal baseball team got its state tournament run off to a terrific start with an 11-3 victory in Tuesday’s predistrict contest with Posen.

Onaway (17-9-2) plays tomorrow seeking a second straight district crown. They play Rogers City at or around noon Saturday at Johannesburg-Lewiston High School. On the other side of the bracket is Joburg and 2013 regional finalist Atlanta.

Host Joburg pulled off the biggest upset in northern Michigan, if not Division IV, by eliminating top-ranked Hillman in the early game Tuesday.

“I am looking forward to the rest of districts,” said Onaway coach Mike Crull. “I certainly like our chances a whole lot better now that Hillman is out of it.”

He believes Hillman may have overlooked Joburg a little when “(Joburg) jumped all over them in the first inning, which shocked everyone.”

Crull also mentioned the game-winning play when the Hillman rightfielder dropped a third out which gave Joburg the win.

“It goes to show, you have to play every hit, every out, every pitch,” said Crull.

Onaway did not get to play Joburg during the regular season because two dates were cancelled. They could meet Saturday afternoon with a trip to the regional tournament in Rogers City on the line. Atlanta defeated Onaway in the regional tournament last year.

The Cards were hitting on all cylinders against Posen’s best pitcher, Travis Sharpe. They put the ball in play, walked, and created havoc on the base paths.

Cody Whitsitt got the first run across by reaching on an error and then worked around the bases on passed balls, before coming home on a wild pitch.

Chris Cleaver walked and was sacrificed to second by Andrew Prow. Zeke Nave then doubled down the right field line to score Cleaver and give Onaway a 2-0 lead.

Posen pushed across one in the bottom of the first and it looked like it was shaping up to be a close one early.

The Cards kept the pressure on in the top of the second as Ray Self walked and sprinted all the way to third on a bad pick off throw to first. The run came home on a wild pitch and the score was 3-1.

Keaton Brewer then walked and moved to second on a ground out. Whitsitt walked, and with two out, Cleaver knocked in two with a single to give the Red Birds a 5-1 lead. He stole second and went to third when the ball went into centerfield and later scored on Prow’s  RBI single. Prow was brought home with a RBI single by Nave. It was 7-1 at that point, which was plenty of run support for Prow, who struck out four and picked up the playoff win.

Auger had an RBI single in the bottom of the second and scored to give the Cards an eight run lead. He also singled, stole two bases and scored in the top of the fifth.

Posen went down in order in the bottom of the fifth and the game was called because the sun was setting. There was some question whether they would get through that sixth inning.

The Cards turned two double plays in the contest, including one started by Morgan McLean who scooped up the ball, touched first and threw to second ahead of a runner for the second out.

Regarding Saturday’s games, “it all comes down to if we can execute at the plate,” said Crull.

The Cards finished a game with Indian River last Friday. They were down 2-1 when the game resumed, but the game was won, 6-3.

Tyler Welklin got the win (2 IN, 2 H, 3 W, 3 K’s), while Cleaver got the save.

Auger was 2-for-4 including his first homer, a two-run blast over the right center field fence. He finished with three RBI. Brewer was 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

Cleaver had a double and got on three times. He is one away from tying the school record of 10 doubles in a season. “He shattered the record for doubles in a career,” said Crul

l.

On Tuesday, the boys split with Gaylord St. Mary.

Whitsitt pitched six innings of two-hit baseball in a 7-0 win. He struck out nine and walked four. Prow went 2-for-3 with three RBI. Cleaver added a double (two RBI). Auger had a double and three stolen bases.

Game two, the Cards were up 2-1 going into the last inning, but could not hang on as the Snowbirds scored four. The final was 5-2.

Prow struck out eight and allowed no walks. He had to come out before the last inning because he reached his limit.

The regional tournament will be played in Rogers City a week from Saturday.