News File Photo Brady Pagels, right, is all smiles as he high-fives coach Neil Seabase after hitting a solo home run during a 2017 12U Cal Ripken Michigan State Tournament game at the Huron Shores Complex. After nine years of being affiliated with the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken organization, Alpena Huron Shore is returning to Little League for baseball and softball beginning with the 2022 season.

The Alpena 12U green baseball team got off to a powerful start on Friday

Five different players hit home runs as Alpena defeated Howard Township 14-2 by mercy-rule in four innings in its 2017 Cal Ripken Michigan State tournament opener.

Jacob Zann, Brady Pagels, Reed Seabase, Ashton Perrin and Trevor Miller each went yard for Alpena.

Alpena took care of things on the defensive end as well limiting Howard Township to just three walks and no hits.

Howard Township scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, thanks to a passed ball and a throwing error.

Alpena got things started early, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning.

Alpena broke the game open in the top of the second inning with five runs. After Adam Brilinsky led off with a single, Zann hit a three-run shot to center field to make it 6-0. Pagels followed with a solo shot to make it 7-0.

Logan Momrik added an RBI on a bases loaded walk before the end of Alpena’s turn at the plate to make it 8-0.

Alpena’s power display was just getting started. In the top of the third inning, Seabase hit a two-run home run to center field and Perrin added a solo shot.

Combined with Zann’s two-run single earlier in the inning, the three hits helped to give Alpena a commanding 13-0 lead.

Miller capped the offensive display with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth, putting Alpena up 14-0.

Momrik and Blake Grant held Howard Township at bay, combining to allow just three walks and no hits through three innings. Howard Township finished the game with no hits, but scratched across two runs before Alpena ended the game with a mercy-rule win.

Alpena will play Rosedale today at 2 p.m. and will finish pool play against Macomb Clinton at 6 p.m.