HERMANSVILLE — Former Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson sometimes said ‘hits don’t hurt you. Walks and errors, those will kill you.’

Powers North Central and Stephenson received a combined 21 free passes in the second game of a baseball doubleheader here Wednesday night.

Four North Central pitchers gave up 13 walks in a 16-12 loss in the nightcap. Stephenson’s hurlers allowed eight in a contest which was stopped after four innings due to darkness.

Stephenson also won the opener 10-2 in seven frames.

Both games were scheduled for six.

The Eagles, taking advantage of six walks, scored eight times in their half of the fourth for a 16-7 advantage.

North Central answered with five runs on no hits, but cashed in on three walks, two hit batsmen and an error in the bottom of the fourth.

Jets’ coach Ben Snyder, however, was pleased with the team’s effort.

“We battled through the tough innings,” he said. “We put some at-bats together. I’m proud of the way we fought. We told the guys there are bigger things in life than baseball. We got a lot of young guys. We’ll get there. As long as we’re learning everyday, we’ll be all right.”

The Jets (3-8) took a 3-0 lead on a single to centerfield by Ty Veeser in the opening frame.

Stephenson answered with four runs, including three on a fielding miscue, for a 4-3 lead in the second.

North Central responded with three runs in its half of the second, taking a 6-4 lead on an infield single by Matt Granquist.

The Eagles scored four times again in the third, cashing in on five walks for an 8-6 lead.

North Central got one back by taking advantage of three walks in its half of the inning.

“We figured they would do some experimenting,” Eagles’ coach Keith Brief said. “I’m not going to take anything away from them. Their third-baseman and shortstop made some nice plays. You got to tip your hat to them. Both teams showed some grit. They never gave up. I’m just proud and happy for the kids. They’re the ones doing the work.”

The Jets collected five hits in the first two frames, including two by Brady Trudgeon. The Eagles finished with seven, including four in the fourth.

Gavin Anderson led them with two. Freshman Riley Johnson rapped an RBI double to left and Parker Bray followed with a run-scoring triple to left in the fourth.

“I have faith in these guys,” Brief said. “I’m glad we pulled through in the end. We have a good mix of experienced and younger players.”

North Central committed two errors and Stephenson had five.

In the opener, the Eagles decided the issue by scoring eight times in the seventh inning.

Anderson led off the Eagles’ seventh with a single and scored on a wild pitch for a 3-2 lead.

Chris Klein added a three-run single to left for a 6-2 cushion and later scored on an error.

Hunter Bolek made it 8-2 on a passed ball for the Eagles, who then added a pair of runs on a throwing miscue.

The score was tied at one after five innings.

Chase Monette gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead on a wild pitch in the sixth before the Jets tied it in the bottom of the inning.

Both teams play again today. The Jets host Felch North Dickinson in a twinbill and the Eagles go to Menominee for a single game.