The Wildcats (4-3 0-0 BNC) split the series, taking the first game and dropping the second to the Chiefs by scores of 16-1 and 3-5.

Driving in key runs and limiting Cheboygan offensively led the Wildcats to the win, but not finding timely hitting cost Alpena in the second game.

Alpena now heads into Thursday’s contest against Harbor Springs with some added intensity to bounce back from the final game.

“I was just telling our guys that we did a lot really well tonight,” Alpena Coach Eric Mackenzie said. “We played great defense, we pitched good, and we got some of our younger guys a chance to compete. In the first game, we capitalized on scoring opportunities, which is huge and really big for us to keep up in the future.”

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Jake Zann (2) pitches during an Alpena High School baseball game on Tuesday. Zann earned the win on the mound in the second game for the Wildcats after only allowing two hits and one run.

While the second game didn’t quite go as the Wildcats had planned, the first game was dominated by Alpena.

Cheboygan’s inability to find the strike zone led to several batters being hit throughout the game, allowing Alpena many baserunners to drive home.

Two runs were scored in the first inning, both driven in by Jonny Rensberry on a single.

The Wildcats came back in the second inning, knocking in nine runs, essentially blowing the game into mercy-rule territory.

Grant Jarema highlighted the inning by finding the right-center gap, which cleared the bases. Jarema strolled into third base as the team took an 11-0 lead.

New Photo by Owen Kinzey Jase Kollen stands ready to pitch during Tuesday's game in Alpena against Cheboygan.

The Chiefs fought for one run back off of Jake Zann’s pitching, but one run was all they would get.

Five more runs were tacked on to complete the 16-1 win, once again, coming on poor pitching and timely hitting.

Zann earned the win on the mound for the Wildcats after only allowing two hits and one run.

The second game of the doubleheader went completely opposite of the first as the Chiefs found the lead and some momentum early.

Warren Farver kicked off the scoring after drawing a walk, scoring a run in the top of the first.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Jonny Rensberry stands ready at the plate during a baseball game in Alpena against Cheboygan on Tuesday.

Two innings later, Luke Munger extended Cheboygan’s lead after a single to a 2-0 start.

Eventually, in the bottom of the third, Alpena’s pitcher, Jase Kollen, singled, scoring two runners.

With the game knotted up at 2-2, Cheboygan discovered the lead again after Alpena committed a wild pitch.

This game remained back-and-forth as Alpena would later tie the game up again.

It was Rensberry who came through after driving a single through the hole to tie the game at 3-3.

News Photos by Owen Kinzey Owen Kaiser (5) stands ready to bat in a game against Cheboygan on Tuesday in Alpena. The Wildcats took the win in the first game, 16-1, but lost the second 3-5.

Finally, Cheboygan pulled away in the top of the sixth inning, thanks to two singles by Brennan Bradley and Blake Blaskowski, scoring two more runners.

Alpena was unable to respond, ultimately falling 5-3 as Landon Gagnon ended with the pitching loss for the Wildcats.

“The second game stinks because we lost 5-3, but, in reality, we’re gonna bounce back and use this game for motivation going into the next one,” coach Mackenzie said. “We need to be better at driving in the players we put in scoring position, and, so far this year, we’ve struggled with that. I’m confident we’ll pick that up, and hopefully play better against Harbor Springs on Thursday.”

Alpena travels to Harbor Springs tomorrow.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Tucker Bright stand at the plate during Tuesday's game in Alpena against Cheboygan.