News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Hillman senior Brooke Jones rips an RBI single into left field during the third inning in game one of a North Star League doubleheader against Alcona on Thursday at Hillman High School.

HILLMAN — A busy week and regular season ended for the Hillman softball team as it split a North Star League doubleheader against Alcona, winning game one 5-4 and falling in the nightcap 13-5.

Hillman found itself trailing early in game on as Hailee Gordy doubled home a run in the top of the first inning and two more runs scored in the second when Anna Loyer was hit by a pitch and scored and Liz Henderson walked and scored on an RBI single off the bat of Kiersten Thompkins to give Alcona a 3-0 lead after two innings.

Hillman cut the lead to one as the scored a pair of runs in the home half of the third when Bailey Schook drew a one out walk and later scored. Alison Samp reached on a fielders choice and Brooke Jones came through with a two out single to plate Samp to cut the lead to 3-2 after three.

After the first two innings, Schook settled in as she tossed all six innings and picked up the win in the circle as she allowed just three hits and struck out eight.

Hillman scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Samp led off with a double and scored on a wild pitch. Jones walked and scored on an error and Mackenzie VanPamel drove in Kylee Ventimiglia-Greene for the third run of the inning.

Alcona added a run in the sixth when Gordy walked and scored on a wild pitch, but Schook struck out the final two batters of the game looking to secure the win.

Offensively, Jones led Hillman with two hits an RBI and a run scored. VanPamel had a pair of hits and an RBI, Samp doubled and scored two runs, Schook had a hit and scored a run and Makenna Grulke and McKenna Hively each added a hit.

Alcona bounced back to win the nightcap after a solid effort at the plate and in the field.

Alcona scored three runs in the top of the second to take a lead as Henderson hit and RBI triple to score Anna Loyer. Henderson also came around to score on a single from Thompkins.

Hillman responded with two runs in the home half of the second, but Alcona answered with two of its own to extend the lead back to three.

Hillman added a run in the third and two in the fourth and trailed 6-5 after four innings.

Alcona scored three in fifth and four in the sixth to blow the game wide open.

Hillman trailed by four with two outs and two runners on in the fifth and Hively blooped a ball down the third base line in fair territory and it looked as if the ball was going to fall in for a hit, but Alcona shortstop Bri Fogle came running and diving to make a spectacular catch to preserve Alcona’s four run lead and help them close the night with a victory.

Fogle, Thompkins, Hailee Gordy and Ashlynn Gordy led the way offensively for Alcona and Hailee Gordy stole five bases, had a pair of hits, a pair of RBI and scored twice in the game two win. Fogle hit a double and triple, scored a run and drove in a run and Raegan Eller pitched all six inning and picked up the win.

Jones paced Hillman with two hits and an RBI. Regina Morrison had two hits and scored twice and Schook singled, walked and scored a run in the losing effort.