Mid Michigan Takes 3 of 4 from Jacks

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. — March 28-29, 2026

The Alpena Community College baseball team traveled to Mt. Pleasant this weekend for a pivotal four-game series against the Mid Michigan Lakers, as the Lumberjacks fought off a sweep with a win in the final game of the weekend. ACC now stands at 7-23 overall and 5-4 in MCCAA Northern Conference play.

Game 1 — Saturday, March 28 | Mid Michigan 9, ACC 2

Mid Michigan handed the Lumberjacks a 9-2 loss in the series opener, with Laker ace Donovan Heugh dominating on the mound. Heugh went six innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out 11 ACC batters and walking three.

Miguel Salcedo was the lone bright spot offensively, delivering both of Alpena's runs via solo home runs — one in the first inning and another in the sixth — to account for all of ACC's scoring.

Lane Gross drew the starting assignment and absorbed the loss, allowing eight earned runs over four innings while walking three and striking out three. Ethan Bergstein came on in relief and worked two solid frames, giving up just one run.

Mid Michigan built their lead through timely hitting and capitalized on ACC miscues, with Nikolas Stimac's two-run home run in the fourth inning providing the knockout blow.

Notable: Salcedo's pair of solo home runs were the only extra-base hits for Alpena.

Game 2 — Saturday, March 28 | Mid Michigan 8, ACC 5

The Lumberjacks battled back in the nightcap but couldn't hold off Mid Michigan in an 8-5 defeat.

ACC struck first and struck hard, with Marcus Castellon launching a two-run home run in the first inning to give the Lumberjacks an early 2-0 lead. Alpena added a run in the second on a hit-by-pitch that plated Corbin Allen.

But Kaleb Donajkowski struggled with command in a difficult start, walking eight batters in 2⅔ innings and surrendering six earned runs as Mid Michigan's offense found its footing in a decisive five-run third inning. Charlie Best came on in relief and kept things respectable, pitching 3⅓ innings and allowing just one earned run.

The Lumberjacks made things interesting in the late innings — Castellon's RBI single in the sixth and Nate Gould's RBI single in the seventh pulled ACC to within three — but Mid Michigan's bullpen slammed the door.

Notable: Despite the loss, ACC drew eight walks and was hit by four pitches, showing patience at the plate.

Game 3 — Sunday, March 29 | Mid Michigan 14, ACC 12

Sunday's opener was a wild, high-scoring affair that the Lakers ultimately won 14-12, though the Lumberjacks made it a memorable contest.

ACC's offense broke loose in a big way. The Lumberjacks scored in four of their seven innings, highlighted by a six-run fifth inning that temporarily put them in contention. Allen was the hero of that frame, crushing a grand slam that drew ACC back within two runs at 14-12 after the Lakers had built a 14-4 lead.

Castellon continued his power surge, adding another home run — a three-run shot in the third that kick-started Alpena's rally. Bishop chipped in with a run-scoring single, and Zocco contributed an RBI base hit. ACC crossed 12 runs on just six hits, drawing six walks and benefiting from three Mid Michigan errors.

Jacob Brohl started on the mound and took the loss, giving up 10 runs in three innings before exiting. Mason McQuillin came on in relief and pitched three innings, holding Mid Michigan in check after the game had already gotten away.

Mid Michigan's Heugh, this time at the plate as the designated hitter, provided the decisive blow with a pair of home runs totaling six RBI, including a grand slam that blew the game open in the second inning.

Notable: Despite the loss, ACC's 12-run output and late-game rally showed the offense's capability when the lineup gets going.

Game 4 — Sunday, March 29 | ACC 16, Mid Michigan 2 

The Lumberjacks saved their best for last, erupting for 16 runs on 16 hits to dismantle Mid Michigan 16-2 in the series finale — their most complete performance of the young season.

Ivan Kosmerick took the ball and delivered, working four dominant innings and earning the win. Kosmerick struck out nine batters, walking four, and allowed just two unearned runs. Zachary Holifield closed things out over the final inning, keeping Mid Michigan off the board.

The offense was relentless from the opening pitch. ACC put up seven runs in the first inning, keyed by a Castellon two-run home run and clutch hits throughout the lineup. Salcedo had himself a day, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, five RBI, and four runs scored. Wheelock drove in three runs, including a key two-out single. Bishop reached base multiple times and scored twice, while Salcedo also stole a base.

Alpena kept pouring it on, adding four runs in the third on a Salcedo three-run home run, three more in the fourth, and one more in the fifth to complete the rout.

Notable: Kosmerick's nine strikeouts over four innings put ACC in immediate control and set the tone for a dominant team performance.

Series Summary

ACC went 1-3 in the four-game set but closed the series on a high note with Sunday's blowout win. The weekend's results move the Lumberjacks to 7-23 overall and 5-4 in MCCAA Northern Conference play, keeping them firmly in the conference playoff picture.

Series Offensive Leaders (ACC):

Salcedo's .667 average and three home runs over the four-game set were a standout performance, and his 1.778 slugging percentage in conference play this season ranks him among the most dangerous hitters in the MCCAA. Castellon matched Salcedo's three home run total in the series and drove in nine, with every one of his extra-base hits going over the fence.

Pitching Notes: Kosmerick picked up the win in Game 4, improving to 1-0. Best provided quality middle relief work across the weekend, allowing just one earned run in 3⅓ innings of work. Brohl and Donajkowski absorbed the losses in Games 3 and 2 respectively, each hampered by command difficulties on a challenging pitching day.

The Lumberjacks return to action today as they travel to Adrian College for a midweek doubleheader.