Explosive Sweep Finishes Season on High Note

Alaina Neubecker
Alaina Neubecker

 

ALPENA — The Alpena Community College softball team saved some of its most explosive offensive outings for the final day of the regular season, sweeping Bay College in a Sunday doubleheader by scores of 18-5 and 19-6 to close out the 2026 campaign. The Lumberjacks combined for 41 hits, 37 runs, and 14 extra-base hits across the two games, finishing the year at 7-30 overall and 7-18 in MCCAA conference play — good for fifth place in the standings.

Game 1: ACC 18, Bay College 5

The nightcap opened with Bay College drawing first blood in the bottom of the first, scratching out three runs on a pair of walks, a wild pitch, and a two-out single by Christina Bower that plated two. But the Lumberjacks answered with a patient offensive approach of their own, and after a quiet first three innings, ACC unloaded in explosive fashion.

The Lumberjacks broke through in the fourth inning with six runs, the big blow coming from Alaina Neubecker, who cleared the bases with a home run to right field — a two-run shot that also scored Kirsten Neubecker, who had reached on an error. Dakota Rachow added a key two-RBI double earlier in the frame to get the rally started.

ACC poured on three more in the fifth on an RBI double from Ava Rospierski that scored Reagan Sides, followed by a Rachow two-run error that plated Rospierski. Then came two more in the sixth, with Alaina Neubecker knocking in a run on a groundout and Reagan Sides adding an RBI triple before scoring on a Jordan Ashley sacrifice fly.

The Lumberjacks saved their best for last. A seven-run seventh inning — fueled by a barrage of singles and a pair of sacrifice flies from Rospierski and Autumn Kazyaka — put the game completely out of reach. Kirsten Neubecker drove in two more with a single to center, and Reagan Sides added a two-RBI single to cap the scoring.

Jordan Ashley picked up the win in relief, tossing four strong innings — allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out one and inducing nine grounders and fly balls. Starter Jenna Sircely worked the first three innings, giving up four earned runs.

Alaina Neubecker was the offensive star of Game 1, going 5-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, and three RBI. Kirsten Neubecker was 3-for-5 with three RBI, Sides went 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBI, and Rachow scored three times and drove in two. Rospierski contributed two doubles and two RBI from the eight-hole.

Game 2: ACC 19, Bay College 6

The second game was even more lopsided, though Bay College gave ACC an early scare — scoring in the first and second before the Lumberjacks' bats came fully alive.

The Norse jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after two innings, but the Lumberjacks answered with a relentless five-inning assault. Magdalyn Sandoval led off the second-inning response with a solo home run to center, and Rachow scored earlier in the frame on a catcher's error to cut the deficit to 4-2 heading to the third.

The floodgates opened in the third, when ACC sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six times. Jenna Sircely delivered an RBI double, Ava Rospierski plated a run with a sacrifice fly, and Kirsten Neubecker provided the signature blow — a two-run double to center, then scored herself on the very next play. Jordan Ashley reached on an error that brought in another run, capping a chaotic, productive frame.

Rachow added a two-run home run in the fourth to extend the lead to 11-4, and Alaina Neubecker's solo shot in the fifth made it 13-4. The Lumberjacks then scored seven in the final inning — highlighted by an inside-the-park home run from Rachow and a bases-clearing double from Rospierski — to reach the final margin of 19-6.

Jordan Ashley started and worked three innings for the win, allowing two earned runs before giving way to Allison Whitaker, who tossed two innings of relief.

Rachow was the offensive engine in the nightcap, going 4-for-4 with a triple, two home runs — including the inside-the-park job — five runs scored, and four RBI. Kirsten Neubecker went 4-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI, and Alaina Neubecker contributed three hits, including a home run, and three RBI. Rospierski added three RBI with a sacrifice fly and a double. Reagan Sides went 3-for-5 and scored twice.

 

Kirsten Neubecker finished the season with a .462 batting average, .537 on base percentage and .702 slugging percentage, with 13 doubles, four home runs and 25 RBI. Alaina Neubecker posted a slash line of .388/.478/.602 with 13 extra base hits, including three home runs. She drove in 18 runs and scored a team high 25. Reagan Sides batted .321 with a .376 OBP. 

Dakota Rachow batted .306 with seven doubles, four triples and three home runs and scored a team leading 31 runs. Magdalyn Sandoval slashed .271 .346 .427 and scored 22 times. Jordan Ashley clubbed four home runs and drove in a team high 26 RBIs. She also led the team in pitching wins, innings pitched and ERA.