Suttons Bay assured itself of a winning season and served notice that it will contend for the District III title - all within the last week.

"I'm proud of our kids," said Norsemen coach Doug Periard Tuesday after watching his squad bounce Mancelona from the tournament, 12-5. The Ironmen were champions of the Ski Valley Conference, and arguably a favorite to win the District title.

Suttons Bay advanced to play Kalkaska at 10 a.m. Saturday at host Elk Rapids. The Blue Blazers won the two teams’ only matchup earlier this season, 7-4.

Kingsley, which Suttons Bay has beaten twice, will take on Elk Rapids in the second game — and the Norsemen have split with the Elks.

“I think it’s a pretty balanced district,” said Periard. “If we play well, we can win this thing. If not, things will go down hill pretty fast.”

Playing Kalkaska will be like looking in the mirror for Suttons Bay. “They’re young, they’re about .500 and they’re a lot like us,” said Periard. Suttons Bay, which improved to 16-14, starts five sophomores, a freshman and a junior.

Mancelona never led in the pre-district game. It yielded 6 runs in the sixth inning, thanks largely to run-scoring singles by Danny Holmes, Shane Kaufman, and Bryan Belanger. Suttons Bay took a 9-2 lead, and both teams came back with 3 runs in the seventh.

Winning pitcher Anthony Stewart went the distance, scattering 8 hits, striking out 4 and walking just 4. He also helped himself out at the plate, going 2-for-4, scoring twice, and knocking in a run.

Kaufman and Marty Glowicki also went 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored apiece. Ryan Manning singled and scored twice.

Suttons Bay mercied Traverse City Christian twice last Thursday, 20-3 and 15-0. Both games were called after four innings.

Marty Glowicki swatted 4 singles in as many trips to the plate, and scored 3 runs. Kody Herman was 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored, and Holmes was 2-for 4. Kaufman doubled. Credit Adam Moritz with the win on the mound.

Glowicki offered up just 27 pitches to 12 batters in hurling a perfect game in the nightcap. He struck out 5 — and provided offense in the form of a single and a double.

“They hit a few shots to the infield that we fielded well,” said Periard.

Manning went 4-for-4 with a double; Kody Herman was 2-for-4; Belanger doubled and scored 3 runs; and Evan Glowicki singled, knocked in 2 runs and scored 2 more.