News Photo by James Andersen Alpena Community College pitcher Elissa Nash throws a pitch during the second game of a triple-header against Mott on Saturday at Alpena High School.

The Alpena Community College softball team made plenty of contact at the plate on Saturday, but struggled to generate offense.

Held in check by Mott’s defense, the Lumberjacks were limited to five runs on eight hits across three games, dropping a triple-header against the Bears at Alpena High School–13-3 (five innings), 13-1 (five innings) and 9-1 (five innings).

ACC (0-16) had trouble keeping the top of Mott’s lineup in check. Featuring former Alpena standout Liz Kendziorski and former Rogers City star Kayla Rabeau, the Bears’ first four hitters accounted for 20 hits, 16 runs and 12 RBI.

Mott’s ability to put the ball out of the reach of ACC’s fielders and ability to score runs in bunches ultimately proved too much for the Lumberjacks.

In the final game, the Bears scored three runs each in the first two innings to build a lead. An infield error by the Lumberjacks in the top of the second inning gave the Bears some new life. They responded with a pair of runs, both coming on RBI doubles from Nicole Sieler and Rabeau, to take a 6-0 lead.

ACC attempted to rally in each of the last two innings. In the fourth, ACC got a pair of runners on base with two outs, but Mott escaped the jam.

The Lumberjacks got on the board in the fifth inning after Makayla Price doubled to lead things off. Two batters later, Alexis Ferguson singled to score Price and Karah Dunson singled to put runners on first and second. Mott escaped the jam on the next batter, turning a double play to end the game.

A seven-run first inning got the Bears off to a fast start in the second game, creating a deficit the Lumberjacks couldn’t recover from.

Taylor Rueger had a two-run single in that first inning outburst and provided another big hit later in the game, clearing the bases with a double in the fifth inning.

Jasmyn Schultz had ACC’s only hit in the second game and the Lumberjacks scored their only run in the fifth inning. ACC loaded the bases on walks with one out and an outfield error later allowed Elissa Nash to score.

Mott pitcher Rachel Mackey held ACC in check on the mound, striking out 10 batters.

A pair of six-run innings propelled the Bears in Saturday’s opener. Mott scored a run in the first inning and then added six runs in both the second and third innings.

Rueger had another two-run single in the second inning and Tori Hyde had a two-run double in the third inning.

ACC gained a run in the third inning when Nash scored on an RBI groundout from Madyson Girard. The Lumberjacks scored twice in the fourth inning after Schultz scored on a passed ball and Price scored on an RBI groundout.

ACC finished with four hits, including two from Brittany Decker and one each from Schultz and Jessica Marwede.

Kendziorski finished the day with six hits and scored four runs. Rabeau had six hits and a pair of RBI in addition to scoring six runs.

ACC will return to action this week at home. The Lumberjacks will host Delta on Friday at 4 and 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, ACC will host Schoolcraft. Game times are 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.