Muskegon Sweeps ACC

Maggie Sandoval
Maggie Sandoval
ALPENA — The Alpena Community College softball team had a difficult two-day stretch against Muskegon Community College, dropping all four games of a home series played Monday and Tuesday. The Jayhawks swept both doubleheaders on April 20 and April 21, outscoring the Lumberjacks 43-16 across the four-game set.
 
Monday, April 20
Game 1: Muskegon 13, ACC 3 (5 innings)
The Lumberjacks couldn't contain Muskegon's offense as the Jayhawks scored in all five innings, leading 13-0 until Reagan Sides hit a two-run homer immediately followed by a solo shot by Maggie Sandoval. Kirsten Neubecker singled and doubled.
 
Game 2: Muskegon 12, ACC 7 (7 innings)
The Lumberjacks put up a better fight in the nightcap, keeping pace early and leading after three innings, 7-4, but Muskegon scored four in the fifth to regain the lead and pulled away with one in the sixth and three in the seventh. ACC collected nine hits and drew three walks, but four errors proved costly and the Lumberjacks stranded six runners — an inability to cash in on opportunities. Jordan Ashley went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Autumn Kazyaka also homered and drove in three runs.
 
Tuesday, April 21
Game 3: Muskegon 7, ACC 3 (7 innings)
In the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, Muskegon jumped out on top, leading 7-0 after two innings. The Lumberjacks again had chances but couldn't finish. ACC managed eight hits and drew four walks but stranded nine runners.
 
Ashley was solid in relief, giving up only two runs in five innings. Sandoval was ACC's standout performer offensively, going 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a home run, and three RBI. Dakota Rachow also went 2-for-4 and scoring twice at the top of the lineup. Alaina Neubecker also had two hits.
 
Game 4: Muskegon 11, ACC 3 (5 innings)
The series finale was another abbreviated game, with Muskegon's pitching shutting down the ACC lineup — allowing just five hits and no earned runs while striking out four over five innings.
 
The Jayhawks scored in four of five innings, highlighted by a five-run fourth that put the game out of reach. For ACC, Kirsten Neubecker went 2-for-3, and Sandoval delivered a two-run double in the fifth.
 
For the series, Sandoval was 6 for 12 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI. Kirsten Neubecker slashed .455/.571/.545 in 14 plate appearances. Ava Rospierski had three hits, including two doubles.
 
The Lumberjacks (4-25 overall, 4-13 conference) return to play on Friday, Aprl 24 hosting Grand Rapids Community College.