News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena’s Elysa Kelly, center, prepares to go into her windup during a game against Cadillac on Friday at Alpena High School.

ALPENA — The Alpena High softball team finished its doubleheader Friday by splitting with very forceful Cadillac squad.

The first game went outstanding for the Wildcats after they ended up with a 4-2 win. Alpena fell short in the second game, 10-7.

In the first game, Alpena came out ready to put up some runs and was ready to put out a great performance. Avery Dubey led the game off with a single which was followed up by another single from Izzy Edmonds.

Emilee Modrzejewski walked, setting up a great opportunity for the Wildcats to score early. Three runs scored after an error was made. But the Wildcats’ offense wasn’t done yet after Kyra Lucas drove a single back up the middle, scoring one more run. This run put Alpena up 4-0 in the first inning.

Alpena’s offense slowed a little from there. Cadillac’s offense started to come alive in the sixth inning after it got two straight singles into right field. Both of the runners came around to score, which made it 4-2. 

The Vikings couldn’t keep up and score any more runs which allowed the Wildcats to secure the game one win.

Pitching proved to be the key to success for the Wildcats in the first game after Edmonds pitched a complete game, only allowing two runs. Edmonds also struck out six batters in the first game.

“In the first ball game, Izzy collected six strikeouts which put (Cadillac) in a situation that really limits the offensive production,” Alpena coach Paul Marwede said.

Dubey also played well at both the plate and on the defensive side of the ball. She recorded some major hits for the Wildcats, while also making some excellent plays at first base.

The Wildcats struggled defensively in the second game. This was demonstrated early by the Wildcats after they allowed two runs in the first inning that were both due to errors.

The fielding struggles occurred again in the second inning for the Wildcats while another two runners came around to score. This put Alpena in a 4-0 hole in the second inning.

Alpena was not ready to give up yet after they scored five runs in the third inning to take a 5-4 lead. Cadillac’s pitching was struggling to throw strikes after it walked or hit all of the batters that came around to score.

Things went well for Alpena until the sixth inning when it allowed a six-run comeback to the Vikings, which included a grand slam. 

The Wildcats couldn’t regain the lead again after they chipped away another run in the seventh, but ultimately lost to Cadillac 10-7.

Alpena’s next game is a tournament today at Bay City.