News File Photo Alpena's Gwyn DenBleyker returns a volley during a match against Petoskey's Alex Graham at the APlex in Alpena in this 2018 News file photo.

GIRLS TENNIS

Alpena’s DenBleyker qualifies for state finals

MIDLAND–Gwyn DenBleyker is headed back to the state finals.

The Alpena High School senior finished first in the one singles flight on Friday during a Division 2 regional in Midland.

DenBleyker previously qualified for the finals as a freshman and she will compete in this year’s finals on June 4.

DenBleyker’s performance was just one of several impressive ones for the Wildcats, who finished third–their best finish in 15 years.

Madi Speaks won for Alpena at three singles; Arlene Dai and Emilee Spomer finished second at two singles and four singles respectively and Alpena’s two doubles team of Josie Baker and Bekah Carlson earned a point with one win.

BASEBALL

Hillman drops 2 to Cardinals

HILLMAN–The Hillman baseball team dropped a pair of games to Johannesburg-Lewiston on Friday.

In the opener, Hillman lost 11-1.

Caleb Hiveley took the loss for the Tigers (16-11-1), allowing eight earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and four walks.

AJ Jones, Brady Firman, Aden Sobeck and Edwin Hardies had a single each for Hillman.

In the second game, Sobeck took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts. Hardies pitched one inning in relief.

At the plate, Trenton Taratuta was 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI; Firman was 2-for-4 and Jaden Dove was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Hillman plays in a tournament at Maple City Glen Lake on Saturday.

SOFTBALL

Alcona routs Cardinals

LINCOLN–The Alcona softball team got plenty of offense en route to sweeping a doubleheader against Whittemore-Prescott on Thursday, 13-3 and 18-0.

In the opener, Alcona built an early lead with six runs in the first inning and added four more in the second.

At the plate, Sage Gauthier had a home run for the Tigers and two RBI; Ashlyn Gordy added two hits; Makala Mendyka had a hit and three RBI and Miah Schopfer had a hit and two RBI.

Schopfer earned the win, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Alcona scored nine runs in the first inning and added four in the second and five more in the third inning.

Gauthier had two doubles, a triple and an RBI; Rachel Layton had two hits and two RBI; Gordy and Liz Henderson each had a hit and two RBI.

Olivia Borchardt earned the win for Alcona, allowing two hits and striking out three.