Baseball Opens Season with Doubleheader Loss
The Alpena Community College baseball team struggled to find their rhythm in their season opening doubleheader in Gadsden, Alabama, falling to Gadsden State Community College in both ends of a doubleheader by scores of 7-1 and 11-2.
In the opening game, the Cardinals jumped out early, plating single runs in the second and third innings before extending their advantage with key hits later in the game.
ACC's lone run came in the fourth inning when Maxwell McCarty singled home a run after stealing second base and advancing to third. McCarty led the Lumberjacks' offense with two hits, while teammate Aiden Bishop also recorded two base knocks in the losing effort.
Lane Gross took the loss despite working through adversity, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing seven runs while striking out two. The Lumberjacks committed two errors defensively, contributing to Gadsden State's offensive output.
The nightcap proved even more challenging for the Lumberjacks as the Cardinals erupted for 11 runs on nine hits. The Cardinals scored early and often, plating runs in five of the seven innings while shutting down ACC's offense after a brief fourth-inning rally.
Lumberjack starter Kaleb Donajkowski battled through four innings but was charged with the loss after allowing seven hits and four earned runs. The Lumberjacks' pitching staff struggled with control, hitting six Gadsden State batters throughout the game, which contributed to several big innings for the Cardinals.
The fourth inning provided a glimpse of hope for the Lumberjacks when they pushed across two runs. Aiden Bishop and Maxwell McCarty both singled, and Kaden Benaske delivered a clutch two-RBI double to temporarily cut into the deficit. However, that would be all the offense Alpena could muster.
Bishop and McCarty were the bright spots for Alpena, each collecting two hits in the game. Zach Fletcher added a base hit as the Lumberjacks managed seven hits total but left multiple runners on base in key situations.
The Lumberjacks showed exceptional defense most of the day, highlighted by five double plays in game one, an unbelievable catch in center by McCarty and a runner thrown out stealing by Luke Lovelace.
Doubleheader Statistics
Game One:
Alpena CC: 1 run, 5 hits, 2 errors
Gadsden State: 7 runs, 10 hits, 1 error
Leading hitters (Alpena): Maxwell McCarty 2-3, Aiden Bishop 1-2, Miguel Salcedo 1-1 (RBI)
Game Two:
Alpena CC: 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 error
Gadsden State: 11 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors
Leading hitters (Alpena): Aiden Bishop 2-3, Maxwell McCarty 2-3, Kaden Benaske 1-3 (2 RBI)
The Jacks (0-2) return to action this afternoon, Feb. 15, with another doubleheader against the Cardinals.