Lady Hurons first in home EH Tulgestka tournament

In a rematch of last year’s district finals, Rogers City defended home turf in the E.H. Tulgestka and Sons tournament by defeating Onaway in the championship game. Before that, the Hurons notched wins over Sault St. Marie and Posen.
In the 16-0 win over Posen Kyrsten Altman was the winning pitcher throwing a no-hitter.  Altman struck out six Vikings while walking one.
At the plate Altman had two hits including a double and two RBI. Taylor Fleming had a double and four RBI. The bats were on fire during a 12-run third inning that ended the game.
In the 21-6 win over Sault Ste Marie, Altman was the winning pitcher allowing six runs on six hits while striking out three. Jayna Hance pitched one inning and retired the side in order.
The Hurons scored 21 runs on 19 hits against the Blue Devils. Hance had three hits with two triples and three RBI, Hannah Dittmar had three hits and three RBI, Hannah Fleming had three hits and two RBI while Alissa Bowden had two hits and three RBI. Kayla Rabeau, Taylor Fleming and Amanda Wirgau each had two hits and Saige Wagner had three RBI.
The championship game was a rematch of last year’s district championship game. The game featured a pitchers’ dual between Onaway’s Calley Selke and Hance of the Hurons. Hance mowed down the first nine Cardinal batters she faced and Selke retired nine of the 10 batters she faced in the first three innings, with only a walk given to Dittmar in the second inning.
Selke then led off the third inning by hitting a home run over the left field fence and Onaway led 1-0. Hance kept her composure on the mound retiring the next three Cardinals. Altman led off the Huron half of the third with a bunt single. Hannah Fleming drew a one-out walk and the Hurons had runners on first and second. With two outs Altman stole third and scored on a wild throw, Hannah Fleming then scored on a wild pitch and the Hurons led 2-1 after four innings.
The Onaway leadoff batter got on base on an error to start the fifth inning and then Hance struck out the next three hitters. Wirgau led off the bottom of the fifth with a hit and then Linnea Hentkowski ran for Wirgau. With one out Wagner entered the game as a pinch hitter and drilled a shot to the gap in deep right center field. Two of the Onaway outfielders collided as they were going for the ball, and then the ball went to the fence. Hentkowski and Wagner both scored on the play to make it 4-1 Hurons. There was then a break in the action as the Cardinal center fielder Alison LaFave was being checked out by medical personal. When play resumed Hance had a bunt single, she then stole second and scored on a hit by Altman. The Cardinals loaded the bases in the last inning but failed to score and the Hurons won 5-1.
Hance allowed one run on two hits while striking out eight and walking two in getting the win. Selke gave up five runs on five hits, while striking out eight and walking three.
Coach Karl Grambau was pleased to have his team win the tournament for the third straight year.
“I thought our pitching was great, our catchers did a nice job on a cold day and we had some timely hits and great defensive plays.  I felt bad for the Onaway players who got hurt and we certainly hope they make a quick recovery,” he said.
“I am very excited where our team is at right now.  They are working together great and really are coming together as a unit. We had a good practice indoors on Monday, took Tuesday off after the Oscoda game was canceled and it looks like the weather will be a little better for the Thursday home doubleheader with Posen.”
The Hurons are 8-0 on the season are ranked No. 3 in Division 4 and will play their first North Star League games at home Thursday against Posen. They travel to Alcona for a doubleheader Monday.

(More results from the games are in this week’s Advance)