MIDLAND — The Alpena baseball team opened its season with a weekend split in a tournament at Midland Dow.

Alpena started the day by defeating the host Dow Chemics 15-4, needing just five innings to mercy their opponents.

Lucas Crosby tossed a complete game earning the win as he allowed no earned runs on three hits, while walking one and striking out three.

At the plate, the Wildcats scored three runs in the first inning as Lars MacArthur drove in Alpena’s first run of the season with an RBI single. Logan Guthrie singled in two more in the inning to give Alpena a quick lead.

The big hit for Alpena came off the bat of Bruz Copping who hit a grand slam to break the game wide open. Copping finished with five RBI in win. Kyle VanDusen also chipped in with two hits.

After defeating Midland Dow, the Wildcats met up with the school who ended their season last year in the regional semifinals, Saginaw Heritage.

Alpena suffered a 4-1 loss in the championship game.

Copping got hit with the loss, going five innings, allowing four runs, one earned on three hits, while walking one and fanning four. MacArthur relieved Copping and tossed one perfect inning.

Offensively, Guthrie doubled and Clay Donajkowski drove in the teams lone run with an RBI single.

Alpena begins the season 1-1.

UNIONVILLE — The Hillman baseball team began its season in the Patriot Classic on Saturday in Unionville.

The Tigers dropped the first game to the host Unionville-Sebawing 4-2.

Kyler Moir took the loss, pitching four innings, allowing four runs on four hits, while walking six and striking out seven.

At the plate, Jared Juergens, Caine Hunt, Andrew Funk, Nic Taratuta and Moir all had singles.

Hillman bounced back to win its second game of the day, defeating Grand Blanc 10-9 on a suicide squeeze to win the game.

Funk pitched in relief and picked up the win.

Gage Steinke went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and squeezed in the game-winning run.

Juergens went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI. Moir was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI. Kory Henigan went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI and Cam Koenig finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored as Hillman begins the season 1-1.

SOFTBALL

SAGINAW — The Alpena softball team suffered a doubleheader sweep against Saginaw Swan Valley over the weekend.

The Wildcats fell in game one by a score of 5-1 and dropped the second game 12-6 despite being tied at six heading into the seventh inning. Swan Valley put together a six run top of the seventh inning to come away with the victory.

Mallory Kautz and Jade Schultz each homered on the weekend and Allie Funk chipped in three hits in the nightcap.

Alpena travels to Beaverton on Tuesday.

The Wildcat JV team split a doubleheader against Swan Valley, dropping the first game 8-4 and winning game two by a score of 4-3.

Corine Donajkowski and Lark Collins each hit home runs and Lilly Lewis picked up the win on the mound in game two.

FARMINGTON HILLS — The Rogers City softball team began its season against stiff competition in a tournament held at Farmington Hills Mercy High School.

The Hurons went 2-2 on the weekend.

Rogers City lost the first game of the tournament 10-3 against Northville.

The Hurons were held to just one hit which came off the bat of Kyrsten Altman as she doubled.

The Hurons improved as the day went on and defeated Pinckney 14-2 in game two.

Rogers City recorded 10 hits in the game including two hits by Brooke Daniels and Hannah Fleming. Daniels had three RBI and Fleming added an RBI. Altman had a double and an RBI, Kayla Rabeau and Linnea Hentkowski each tripled. Jayna Hance had a hit, Jazmyn Saile and Amanda Wirgau each and a hit and RBI apiece.

Altman picked up the win allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out three.

The Hurons knocked off Linden in game three, winning by a final score of 9-5.

Hance earned the win allowing five runs on 10 hits and she struck out two.

Hance also had two triples in the game. Rabeau tripled, hit a double and drove in four runs. Altman, Fleming, Wirgau, Daniels and Kristin Brege all had one hit in the win.

Rogers City finished the day with a tough 9-0 loss against Hartland.

The Hurons were held to three hits as Hance, Fleming and Catheryn Hart each had a hit apiece.

“It was nice getting outside. You just can’t do it in the gym and this tournament was good for us because there was good competition,” Rogers City coach Karl Grambau said. “I think we represented Rogers City well and we found out what we need to work on and I think it will definitely help us moving forward.”

The Hurons will travel to Reece on Friday for a doubleheader and then travel to Armada on Saturday for another doubleheader.

TENNIS

FLUSHING — The Alpena High School girls tennis team put together another strong showing over the weekend as they earned second place honors at a tournament in Flushing, finishing behind the host and placing ahead of Midland and Bay City Western.

Gwynevere DenBleyker went a perfect 3-0 on the day at No. 1 singles defeating Ashley Welsch (Midland) 6-1 and 6-0; Casey Kramer (Flushing) 6-1 and 6-0; Abi Lewis (Bay City West) 6-0 and 6-0. Brynna Smith won two of three matches at No. 2 singles defeating Parkur Launstein (Flushing) 3-6, 6-3 and 10-8 and beating Carah Bannister (Bay City West) 4-6, 6-1 and 12-10. Claire Butch also won a match at No. 4 singles topping Katie Berchert (Midland) 7-5 and 6-4.

The No. 1 doubles team of Breann Kielszewski and Taylor Belanger defeated Clairissa Gielda and Faith Kuenker (Bay City West) 6-0 and 6-1 and topped Beth Welter and Maddy Sherman (Midland) 6-2 and 6-3. Katie Nicholson and Marissa Centala earned a win at No. 2 singles beating Jade Bellows and Lexie Verity (Bay City West 6-2 and 6-1.

BOYS TRACK

MIDLAND — The Alpena boys track team placed third of eight teams Friday at the George Graves Relay Meet at Midland High School. Traverse City Central took first, Traverse City West second, Alpena third, followed by Ann Arbor Skyline, Midland High, midland Dow, Midland Bullock Creek and Saginaw Swan Valley.

Alpena was led by strong individual performances from Aden Smith, Josh Smith, Aidan Day, Hadyn Goebel and Gabe Bullis.

With every event scored as a relay, the balanced team effort earned the third place overall finish.

Gabe Bullis set a new sophomore pole vault record for Alpena High with a vault of 13′ 10″ which was the best of all vaulters on the day.

Alpena High hosts Traverse City Central on Wednesday.