In the Big North Conference opener between the Petoskey Northmen and the Alpena Wildcats pitching proved its point with the Northmen sweeping 1-0 and 9-2.  Besides the gail force winds assisting off the bay, junior right handed pitcher David Waterson kept the wildcat hitters off balance with shoving his fastball and keeping command of his breaker.  Waterson's fastball sat between 79-81 and his breaker was 70-72 in the right places as he struck out nine wildcats.  He went the distance with a three hitter and recorded the complete game shutout.  Waterson helped himself out at the plate by hitting a sacrifice fly to secure the only run in the first.  On the opposing side, junior right handed pitcher Mitch Skiba, was one better in the hits column but one worse in the score column.  Skiba struck out six, walked none and gave up only two hits.  Talk about a pitchers duel. 

In the second game, Petoskey's veteran club shoved once again.  Senior Dillon Kelly had a no hitter through three when junior Zach Nash broke up the no no with a drive up the middle in the fourth.  Dillon threw the complete game compiling seven strikeouts and four hits.  Senior Joe Robbins for the Northmen was the only individual in both games to have connected for an extra base hit. 

The Northmen are not a team to take lightly.  They have proved themselves competitors beating on down state teams, Grand Blanc and Midland Dow.