Courtesy photo Alpena player Paige Samp waits in the batters’ box for a pitch on Tuesday. The Wildcats won both games against the Sault Area Blue Devils, 12-0, and 7-4.

ALPENA – The Wildcats varsity softball team put two more wins in the win column in a Big North Conference matchup against Sault Ste Marie. Alpena won with ease in the first game 12-0 and held on for a 7-4 victory on Tuesday.

The wins push Alpena’s record to 9-1 on the season.

In game one of the doubleheader, Alpena had a big third inning, scoring seven runs, including a two RBI single from freshman Bella Dickens. Freshman Emma Darga also drove in two runs courtesy of a double to left field.

Dickens, Darga, Georgia Alberts, Paige Samp, Lilly Rospierski, Laura Poli, and Maddie Spomer each registered a hit for Alpena.

On the mound, Samp was credited with the win, giving up no runs and no hits over two innings of action. Lexie Souva came on in relief, striking out five, with one hit and no runs allowed.

In game two, Alpena scored seven runs on seven hits, including RBIs from Paige Samp, Laura Poli, Bella Dickens, and Claire Jarema.

Alpena took the lead in the fifth inning when Alberts hit a line drive to the shortstop, allowing Souva to score and giving the Wildcats a 5-4 lead.

Samp earned the win on the mound, giving up three hits, and zero runs with seven strikeouts over three and two-thirds innings.

Alpena Head Coach Paul Marwede said the team’s busy schedule to start the season was challenging, but can now refocus with some time off before they host Cheboygan on Monday.

“It was nice to finish off a busy stretch of ten games in six days with two wins,” Marwede said. “Looking forward to some outdoor practice time to shore up on some things that occurred during our recent stretch of games.”