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The East Jordan baseball coach knew if the Red Devils defeated the Ironmen in the district opener Saturday, they had a good chance of facing Lake Michigan Conference rival Charlevoix in the final. The same team that finished ahead of East Jordan in the final conference standings, despite losing to the Red Devils this season.

The Devils earned the win over Mancelona, then defeated surprise winner Boyne City in the final to earn their first district title in several years. Matt Pater pitched a complete game in the opener, a 3-1 victory for the Devils. He had four strikeouts and scattered six hits. Ryan Gettel led the East Jordan attack, with three hits and two RBI, including the game-winner.

Trailing 1-0 to the Ironmen, Gettel hit a two-RBI single in the second inning, to give the Devils enough for the win. But in the seventh inning, he scored an insurance run off a Mancelona throwing error.

Inman says pitching and defense were what led East Jordan to a third consecutive win over Mancelona this year.

"Pater pitched a terrific game, when he got in trouble, he fought his way out," Inman said. "And when it counted the most, in the late innings, he sent them down 1-2-3.

"Defensively, it may have been our best played game of the year."

The lone Mancelona run was driven in by Greg Blanco, who also pitched a solid game for the Ironmen. When these two teams met in a doubleheader this season, Blanco didn't pitch too much, which was strategic.

"When we played this season, we already had our draws for districts and knew we'd be playing each other," Inman said. "Blanco only pitched one inning in that doubleheader and neither of us wanted to show everything we had."

East Jordan advanced to the district final, where the Devils and coach expected to see Charlevoix. But an upset win by Boyne City, put the Ramblers in the final.

The Devils also swept Boyne City in the regular season and had a likewise result in the final, winning in four innings 15-0.

After Boyne got out the first East Jordan batter of the game, the Devils rattled off four runs. They followed that with three more in the second inning and eventually winning by mercy.

Tom Pentecost pitched four innings of no-hit baseball, striking out three and allowing one walk.

Pater led the offense with three hits and RBI, Jeff Keyser had three hits and two RBI and David Marr added a pair of RBI.

"I was really expecting Charlevoix, but we got Boyne City and we got on them early," Inman said. "(Boyne) got the first out on a routine play, then we started scoring and put it away."

The district title advances the Devils to the regional at Kalkaska Saturday and will be on the other end of a season series record. They face Elk Rapids in the regional, a team that swept the Devils this season.

"We lost two games to them, but they were two good games," Inman said. "We lost one 3-1 and another 4- 3. We were in both games and had opportunities to win. It should be a good game."