CHEBOYGAN–The Alpena High baseball team won two different ways on Wednesday, routing Cheboygan and then beating the Chiefs close for 17-2 and 2-1 wins in a non-conference doubleheader.

In the nightcap, Alpena (3-3) scratched across two runs in the top of the sixth inning and held off a rally attempt by Cheboygan in the bottom of the inning to win.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Bruz Copping reached on an error and was driven in on an RBI triple from Chris DeRocher. Owen Limback followed with a single to center field to score DeRocher.

The Chiefs answered with a sac fly in the bottom of the inning, but Alpena ended any further rally attempt with a groundout.

Keegan Spomer threw a strong game for Alpena, allowing a run on two hits with one walk and six strikeouts in six innings.

Limback had two hits and DeRocher, Copping, Kyle VanDusen and Jordan Schultz each had one.

“We had a really good day. (In the second game), we battled in the clutch and made some big plays,” Alpena coach Phil Schultz said. “In the first game we hit the ball well and took advantage of their mistakes.”

The Wildcats teed off on Cheboygan pitching in the opener, collecting 17 runs on 15 hits while taking advantage of five errors.

Alpena scored four runs in the top of the first inning and kept building its lead from there. Alpena added three runs in the third inning, two runs in the fourth inning and eight more in the fifth inning.

Copping earned the win for Alpena, allowing a run on two hits with three strikeouts. Schultz pitched the last inning and struck out two.

Colin Donajkowski had three hits and two RBI for Alpena; Aidan Goike had three hits and an RBI; Clay Donajkowski had two hits and two RBI and Spomer had a hit and two RBI.

“We had good pitching and good defense both,” Schultz said. “The kids played well.”

Alpena got started early with four first-inning runs. With one out, DeRocher hit into a fielder’s choice to score Goike, VanDusen scored on a wild pitch, Colin Donajkowski singled to score DeRocher and Spomer hit into a fielder’s choice to score Limback.

Alpena took a 7-1 lead after three innings, tacking on three more in the top of third.

Both Donajkowskis had RBI hits and Goike singled to score Alex Cosbitt.

After two more runs in the fourth inning made it 9-2, Alpena added eight in the fifth inning, taking advantage of several errors and a wild pitch to further its lead.

Alpena opens Big North Conference play on Tuesday in Gaylord.

Hillman 15,

East Jordan 13

EAST JORDAN–The Hillman baseball team came out on top in a slugfest on Wednesday, beating East Jordan 15-13 in seven innings.

Jaden Dove earned the win for the Tigers (2-3), going 5 2/3 innings while allowing seven runs (all earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

At the plate, Nash Steinke was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Kory Henigan singled, had an RBI and scored four runs. Cam Koenig had an RBI and scored twice.

Nic Taratuta was 1-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored. Brady Firman was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Gage Steinke scored three runs and Fisher Linseman was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Alpena JV sweeps

at home

The Alpena JV baseball team earned a doubleheader sweep at home over Cheboygan on Wednesday, winning by scores of 11-0 and 11-6.

The Wildcats needed just four innings to defeat Cheboygan in game one.

Travis Weide tossed a no-hitter, pitching all four innings, striking out five and walked a pair of batters.

Offensively, Alpena was led by Victor Chen, Matt Thompson and Alex Cadarette who each collected two hits apiece.

The Wildcats finished off the sweep, continuing to swing the hot bat in the nightcap.

Chen led the way going 4-for-4. Ashton Perrin went 2-for-2 and Keegan Hahn, Ben Nowak and Kadyn Budnick each had a hit.

Hahn started the game and went three innings to pick up the win. Thompson pitched an inning and a third and Kam Potter finished the game in relief.

Alpena is 5-1 overall on the season and will open BNC play on Tuesday against Gaylord.

SOFTBALL

Wildcats topple Chiefs

CHEBOYGAN — The Alpena softball team traveled to Cheboygan on Wednesday and swept the Chiefs, winning by scores of 11-5 and 19-4.

Jade Schultz pitched game one and earned the win as she went the distance, tossing seven innings and striking out seven batters.

Schultz was backed by plenty of offense as the Wildcats opened with four runs in the first and four more in the sixth as they held a 9-0 lead and ended up coasting to a victory.

Sydney Chojnacki belted a two-run home run in the win. Allie Funk collected three hits, including a pair of doubles. Abbie Funk and Schultz also picked up three hits and Emma Fraser chipped in with a pair of hits.

The Wildcats made quick work of Cheboygan in the nightcap, winning 19-4.

Alpena pounded out 21 hits as a team in game two and the Wildcats were powered by Meghan Roznowski who hit a grand slam off of the scoreboard in Alpena’s nine run first inning.

Abbie Funk collected four hits. Allie Funk and Schultz each had three hits and Fraser, Aubree Sheldon and Kali Spomer each had two hits apiece.

Fraser and Lilly Lewis split the pitching duties as Fraser started the game and picked up the win.

Alpena improves to 5-2 overall and opens up Big North Conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Gaylord.

Posen opens with 2 wins

HARBOR SPRINGS–Getting outside for the first time on Tuesday seemed to be just what the Posen softball team needed.

Posen won its season-opening doubleheader against Harbor Light, downing the Swordsmen 21-2 and 21-4.

In the opener, Makayla Kamyszek earned the win in the opener, allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in five innings. She helped her cause by going 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI.

Lizzy Romel was 5-for-5 with a double and six RBI and Hannah Stone was 3-for-4 with four RBI.

Ava Wesner and Faith Cousins each recorded their first varsity hit.

Riley Krajniak earned the win for Posen in the nightcap, allowing four runs on two hits with three strikeouts in three innings.

Romel was 3-for-3 with a double and seven RBI; Stone was 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Megan Rasmussen was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles.

“For it being our first time outside, we did very well. We didn’t hurt ourselves, we played well defensively and hit the ball well,” Posen coach Wayne Karsten said. “I was pleased with the effort.”

Alpena JV sweeps Cheboygan

The Alpena JV softball team improved to 5-1 with a pair of wins over Cheboygan on Wednesday, 12-0 and 17-3.

Allie Urlaub earned the win for Alpena in the opener with no walks and eight strikeouts.

At the plate, Ashlynne Bloom was 2-for-4 with a home run; Kyra Lucas was 2-for-4 with a single and a double and Gabriella Smith had a hit.

In the nightcap, Elysa Kelley earned the win after walking none and fanning five.

Bloom was 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a double; Ally Frantz had a double and Olivia Leland and Alexis Ballard each singled.

Alpena hosts Gaylord on Tuesday.