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Leading by example

Meyers, Quaine end final seasons at ACC on a high note

News File Photo Alpena Community College sophomore Ashley Meyers pitches during a game against Macomb earlier this season.

Alexa Quaine and Ashley Meyers didn’t always have the easiest time as leaders for the Alpena Community College softball program.

The two former North Star League standouts experienced different paths while continuing their athletic careers, but both of them enjoyed similar success during their final season.

Meyers originally came to ACC during a season in which the program was forced to take a year off due to violations from a previous year. Meyers waited out the first season and new head coach Shelley Hance came in to try and revive the program.

When Hance came in she knew Meyers would be a focal point in helping build the foundation of ACC’s program. As a standout at Posen High School, Meyers was the ace and key bat for Viking teams that enjoyed success during her high school career.

“Ashley is one of the main reasons our program has come back to fruition. She assisted in efforts to formulate the team two years ago and was a big part of our offense,” Hance said.

News File Photo ACC sophomore Alexa Quaine swings at a pitch during a game against Macomb. In their final seasons at ACC, Meyers and Quaine were leaders for the Lumberjacks and led the way for ACC in several offensive categories.

Meyers was batted third in the Lumberjacks order this season and put together a stellar campaign as she finished with a .393 batting average (35-for-89) to go along with 16 runs scored–tied for best on the team–10 RBI, 15 doubles and a home run. Meyers also only struck out seven times in the three spot and put in the ball in play regularly. Meyers was also one of the top pitchers for ACC and when she wasn’t in the circle she played third base.

“Her stats speak for themselves. Opposing pitchers knew and tried to pitch around her, but I never had a doubt with her at the plate. I knew something big was going to happen and that’s fun to coach,” hance said. “I am honored to have coached Ashley these past two seasons.”

Quaine is a former standout who came from Rogers City. Quaine was a part of several Huron teams that enjoyed great success, including Rogers City’s state championship team in 2014.

Quaine bounced around different positions and was valuable because she could play multiple positions and play them well.

“Alexa is a fighter. She was driven every game and I knew I could always count on her to give her best effort,” Hance said.

Quaine led the Lumberjacks in hits (40), at-bats (101) and finished with a team leading .396 batting average. Quaine was a catalyst at the top of the ACC batting order as she batted second much of the season which made her and Meyers a good duo atop the Lumberjacks lineup.

She also scored 15 runs, which was second on the team and added eight RBI, 10 doubles and a home run. Defensively, Quaine began the season playing second base, but also saw time at third base when Meyers was pitching and finished the season playing shortstop.

“Alexa knew how important it was to put the ball in play and give it a chance. Her versatility was so important to us all season as we shuffled to find positions for everyone and Alexa would play anywhere I put her and excel at any position,” Hance said.

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.

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