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Having taken over sole possession of first place in the Lake Michigan Conference the week before, Elk Rapids went outside the conference for a pair of doubleheaders last week.

Nothing changed for the surging Elks, either.

Coupling a pair of dominating pitching performances with a red-hot hitting attack, the Elks swept Bellaire 14-2 and 6-2 last Thursday.

Three players came up with two hits apiece in the first game rout of a struggling Eagles team.

Ian Sliger, who has been swinging a particularly sizzling bat in the Elks' winning streak, had two base hits.

Also getting two hits in the first game were Garrett Gribi and Andy Coates as the Elks got off to a fast start.

Peter Shugart, a first baseman when he's not pitching, gave up only one hit in picking up the win.

He struck out five in a game that was shortened to five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Bellaire made it a little harder on the Elks in the second game, but the result was the same.

Coach Al Vasquez started Theo Stasch on the hill and he responded with a nifty three-hitter, striking out four in six innings.

Zac Dreffs, who also doubles as a starting pitcher, paced the Elks at bat with three hits and two runs batted in.

Coastes, Garrett Foss, Eric Savage and Sliger also came through with run-scoring singles.

Last Friday's regularly scheduled doubleheader with another Ski Valley Conference team, Central Lake, was rained out.

Elk Rapids improved its overall record to 12-4, and continues to lead the conference with a 7-1 record.