Courtesy photo by Alex Swider Senior Wildcat Laura Poli scores in the bottom of the fifth inning during game two of their doubleheader on Tuesday. Alpena honored their seniors and earned a sweep along the way.

ALPENA – The Alpena Wildcats varsity softball team celebrated Senior Night in style on Tuesday, honoring seniors Paige Samp, Laura Poli, Georgia Alberts, Emmi Ruby, and Kaila Girard before sweeping the visiting Pinconning Spartans in a doubleheader. Alpena took the first game 9-5 and the second 3-2, improving to 26-8 overall and 8-2 in the Big North Conference.

Several seniors made significant contributions in the opener. Paige Samp got Alpena on the board in the third inning with a two-run homer to center field and finished with two hits and three RBIs. Georgia Alberts delivered a clutch two-run single during Alpena’s five-run sixth inning outburst that flipped the game. Emmi Ruby also chipped in with an RBI single in the fourth inning that gave the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. Laura Poli showed patience at the plate drawing two walks.

Alpena rallied from multiple ties to pull away late, exploding for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure the 9-5 win. Emma Darga earned the victory in relief. Samp also started on the mound, striking out seven in four innings of work.

Poli led the Wildcats’ offense in the nightcap, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Alpena trailed 2-1 before Emalee Parsons delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth for the decisive runs.

Lexie Souva was outstanding in the circle for Alpena, earning the win with strong pitching over five and two-thirds innings, while Samp closed out the game with the save.

The Wildcats showed excellent plate discipline across both games, drawing 11 walks, and played strong defense.

Alpena Head Coach Paul Marwede discussed the doubleheader and the impact his seniors had on the games.

“All five of our seniors started today’s games and made an impact, I could not be any prouder, Marwede said. “These are the types of games you want to play at the end of the regular season, we had good hitting, good pitching and overall it was a great team win.”