Courtesy photo The 2026 Alpena Community College baseball team.

ALPENA – The Alpena Community College baseball program continues to build momentum under head coach Rob Enslen, with a focus on developing players both on and off the field.

Since baseball returned to the community college in 2023, the Lumberjacks have taken steps forward, something Enslen says starts with the type of players brought into the program in Alpena.

“We recruit character first and talent second,” Enslen said in an email. “When you get the right group of guys who care about each other and want to work, you can build something special. Our team culture is something we take a lot of pride in.”

Enslen said ACC returns a strong core of players who have helped shape that culture, including:

Lane Gross, Jacob Brohl, Kaleb Donajkowsk, Maxwell McCarty, Aiden Bishop, Marcus Castellon, Kaden Benaske, Charlie Best , AJ Wheelock Jonny Rensberry (C, Alpena) Ethan Bergstein (RHP, Midland) Zach Holifield, JJ Salas, Caleb McEwen, Zach Fletcher,

The Lumberjacks have also added several newcomers who are already contributing:

Miguel Salcedo,Isaac Zocco, Ivan Kosmerick, Mason McQuillin, Ryley White, Dylan Klein, Luke Lovelace, Abel Walkotten, Corbin Allen Nate Gould, Jacob Davis, Alex Jimenez, Wesley Bennatts.

Enslen says one of his biggest motivations for coaching at ACC is helping players reach their goals, whether that means continuing their baseball careers or preparing for life after college.

“My vision has always been to help the guys who want to keep playing reach the next level,” Enslen said. “At the same time, we want the players who plan to enter the workforce right away to leave ACC prepared and confident for whatever comes next.”

That development has translated into opportunities beyond ACC. Over the past two seasons, 10 Lumberjack players have moved on to four-year programs to continue both their academics and baseball careers.

A host of players have also committed to four years at the college to play ball.

Mitchell Walters, Nate Koster, Brendan DiBartolomeo, Caleb Stuck, Max Coughlin, Lawrence Tech, Brett Moroschan, Lawrence Tech, Kaleb Blaskowski, Tristan Simrau, Lane Gross, Jacob Brohl.

Several more players are expected to sign with four-year programs this spring.

The Lumberjacks have also been tested early this season. ACC opened the year with a spring trip to Alabama where the team faced some of the top junior college programs in the country. More recently, the team battled Henry Ford, last year’s top team in the Eastern Conference, before taking two out of three games from a strong Glen Oaks team while scoring 44 runs across the series.

“Our expectations are to continue improving and compete every day,” Enslen said. “We want to keep raising the standard for ACC baseball.”

Enslen encourages the community to come out and support the Lumberjacks this spring when the team plays its home games in Ossineke.

Upcoming home series include:

April 10-11 vs Bay College

April 17-18 vs Muskegon Community College

April 24-25 vs Grand Rapids Community College April 27 vs Lansing Community College

“We’re excited about this group and the direction of the program,” Enslen said. “Our guys play hard, represent ACC the right way, and we would love to see the community come out and watch the Lumberjacks play.”