ACC Baseball Splits in Fall Opener

Kaden Benaske rounds the bases after his three-run homer

By Leslianne Johns, ACC Sportswriter

ALPENA – Alpena Community College and Mid Michigan squared off in a Saturday doubleheader filled with offense, defensive plays, and late-game drama, with both teams walking away with a win.

In the opener, Mid Michigan capitalized early, scoring two runs off an Alpena error and two more on a fielder’s choice in the top of the first. Starter Lane Gross went three innings for Alpena, allowing four hits and four runs (three earned), while Mid Michigan’s starter kept Alpena quiet through three innings, striking out three and allowing just two hits.

Alpena showed patience at the plate with seven walks, led by Miguel Salcedo’s three free passes. Aiden Bishop and Abel Walkotten each collected two hits, and catcher AJ Wheelock drove in two runs from the bottom of the order. Defensively, Alpena turned three double plays to keep things close, but Mid Michigan’s offense, proved too much as the visitors secured the win.

The Lumberjacks bounced back in the second game. After Mid Michigan struck first in the opening inning, Alpena responded with a big swing when Kaden Benaske launched a three-run homer to right field, giving Alpena a 3-1 lead. Maxwell McCarty added an RBI single in the second, and an error pushed the lead to 6-3.

Mid Michigan rallied once again, tying the game at six in the top of the fifth. But Alpena had the final answer. Bishop came through with a clutch RBI single in the bottom half, lifting Alpena to a 7-6 victory.

Ethan Bergstein started for Alpena, giving up three runs on seven hits across two innings before handing the ball to relievers Charlie Best and Caleb McEwen. Alpena’s offense stayed hot, tallying 10 hits. Benaske led with three RBIs, while McCarty and Luke Lovelace each had two hits. The Lumberjacks also ran aggressively, swiping three bases, and added another double play in the field.

Mid Michigan matched Alpena with 10 hits of their own. With the split, Alpena showed resilience, using timely hitting and steady defense to end the day on a high note.

ACC plays next Sunday against Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.