Game 1: Traverse City Central 14, Alpena 6

Alpena opened the game with momentum, quickly responding to a first-inning double by Traverse City’s Audrey Williams with a two-run double from Ava Rospierski to take a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats extended their lead in the second after Paige Samp delivered a double down the left field line, bringing in another run to make it 3-1.

Traverse City tied the game in the top of the fifth, but Alpena regained the lead in the bottom half when Addison Christensen executed a sacrifice bunt to score a run and give Alpena a 4-3 edge.

The turning point came in the sixth inning when Traverse City plated five runs on three hits, including a two-RBI double from Hayden Boonstra. The Trojans added six more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on errors and timely hits to pull away for the win.

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Laura Poli catches during Tuesday’s softball game in Alpena. The Wildcats lost to Traverse City Central in both games.

Samp went the distance in the circle for Alpena, striking out 12 and allowing 14 runs, three earned, on 11 hits. Rospierski led Alpena at the plate, going a perfect three-for-three with two RBIs. Samp also collected two hits, and Laura Poli added two RBIs.

Game 2: Traverse City Central 14, Alpena 3

In the second game, Traverse City took early control with a four-run first inning, including two runs on a single by Anna Tabaczka and two more off defensive miscues. A second-inning home run by Audrey Williams and a sacrifice fly by Anika Peterson helped extend the lead.

Alpena got on the board with RBIs from Christensen, Lilly Rospierski, and Kaila Girard, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Emmi Ruby led Alpena offensively with a three-for-three performance at the plate. She also threw in relief, pitching three and two-thirds innings and allowing just one earned run on six hits. Maddie Spomer started the game and allowed seven runs (five earned) in just over an inning.

Traverse City finished with 12 hits and was efficient in the field, committing no errors. Williams once again led offensively with three RBIs on a two-for-four effort.

The Wildcats will look to bounce back today as they head on the road to face the Pinconning Spartans.