OKEMOS - Okemos baseball's run in the playoffs came to a close Saturday afternoon, with Portage Northern ending the game 13-3 in the sixth inning via the mercy rule.

For Okemos, it was a disappointing end to the season, but an end in a round that they never expected to be in.

"Very proud of them," Okemos Coach Phil Magsig said. "We've come a long ways and to not give up on things like that, you know they played well."

In the game, Okemos came out and showed fight. The score was a lot closer than many pundits predicted. After trailing just 6-3 for much of the game, the late innings eventually wore on the Chieftains, and the mercy rule was applied at the bottom of the sixth inning.

The team started the season without a win in their first ten games, a comeback that Magsig was certainly proud of.

While the final loss is never a joyous occasion, Magsig understands that this is a team with talent and potential.

"We've got great kids and great parents, so you just take it one step at a time," Magsig said.