Baseball Travels for Midweek Tuneup at Alma
ALMA, Mich. — The Alpena Community College baseball team traveled to Alma College on Tuesday for a midweek doubleheader, splitting the two-game set against the Scots with a tie and a loss. The Lumberjacks played to a 5-5 draw in the opener before falling 8-6 in the nightcap, leaving the road trip with some positives to build on heading into a pivotal weekend of MCCAA Northern Conference play.
Game 1: Lumberjacks Tie Alma, 5-5 (8 innings)
The opener was a back-and-forth battle that ended in a tie after eight innings. Alpena trailed 3-0 entering the sixth but erupted for four runs in the frame to take the lead, then added a run in the eighth. Alma answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the eighth to square things at five.
Miguel Salcedo was the offensive catalyst for the Jacks, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Catcher AJ Wheelock delivered the biggest hit of the rally, plating two runs on a single. Leadoff man Maxwell McCarty was a spark plug, reaching base twice, scoring twice, and swiping a stolen base. JJ Salas added a pair of hits as well.
On the mound, Zachary Holifield opened with two sharp innings, allowing just one hit while walking three and fanning two. Mason McQuillin was the strongest arm of the day, tossing three innings and not allowing a single earned run while scattering just one hit and striking out two.
The Lumberjacks found themselves in an early hole in the nightcap, falling behind 8-0 through three innings before rallying for three runs in each of the final two frames — but Alma's lead proved too much to overcome.
Alpena's offense came alive late. Zach Fletcher went 2-for-3 and Luke Lovelace contributed two hits in limited at-bats. Jonny Rensberry delivered a two-RBI single, and Aiden Bishop chipped in with a two-RBI hit as well in the Jacks' spirited late charge. JJ Salas added a run-scoring double.
Starting pitcher Ethan Bergstein gave the team two innings, and Alex Jimenez and Dylan Klein each tossed a scoreless frame in relief to close out the game on a positive pitching note.
Looking Ahead: Home Opener Friday Against Bay College
The Lumberjacks now shift their focus to what promises to be an exciting stretch of conference baseball. Alpena opens its home schedule this Friday against Bay College in a doubleheader — the first of six MCCAA Northern Conference games over three days. The Jacks will host Bay again Saturday in another twin bill before making the trip to Delta College on Sunday for a road doubleheader.
Friday's home opener is always a highlight of the spring calendar, and the Lumberjacks will be looking to translate Tuesday's late-inning fight into a strong showing in front of the home crowd. Come out and support your Lumberjacks as the conference stretch run heats up.
First pitch Friday is scheduled at 2:00 pm. Check the ACC Athletics website for game times and updates.