Lumberjacks Take 3 of 4 to Move Up in Playoff Picture
ACC moved into third place and a potential playoff spot with a 3-1 series win this weekend over visiting Delta College. The Lumberjacks won by scores of 9-5 and 17-1 on Thursday and split on Friday, losing 10-2 and winning 8-2.
The Jacks are now 11-10 in the MCCAA Northern Conference and 14-18 overall. Grand Rapids Community College leads the league with a 20-1 conference mark. Mid Michigan College is 7-6 and in second place. Delta is now 10-11 and Muskegon Community College is 7-10. The top three teams in the standings will move on to the NJCAA Region XII Division 2 Tournament. Delta plays in division 3 so ACC only has to beat out Muskegon. Bay College is the other school in the league and they are out of the running with an 0-17 league record.
The opening game of the series was close with Delta holding a 3-1 lead headed into the bottom of the fifth when ACC exploded for seven runs, all scoring after two were out. The key hits in the rally were a two-run double by Kirsten Neubecker, a two-run home run by Kenna Tippman and a second two-run home run by Alaina Neubecker.
Tippman had three hits in the game, driving in three runs. Reagan Sides had two hits. Taylor Krentz threw a complete game to earn the win, striking out six in seven innings.
The second game was never in doubt as the Lumberjacks scored in every inning, including plating eight in the final fifth inning in the mercy rule rout.
Kirsten Neubecker was 3 for 4 with three runs, four RBI, a double and home run. Emilee Modrzejewski was 3 for 3, scored four times and knocked in two. Tippman singled and homered, scored twice and drove in five. Jena Wambold and Dakota Rachow each had two hits. Alaina Neubecker had a home run. Krentz was again the winning pitcher, giving up only one run on five hits.
The ACC bats were uncharacteristically cold in game 3 as the team managed only four hits, including a double by Tippman.
Jordan Ashley struck out 10 in a seven inning complete game to take the last game of the series. She also starred at the plate with three hits, a single, double and home run, scored twice and had two RBI. Modrzewjewski had two hits and seven different ACC hitters had a hit apiece for a full team contribution.
ACC (11-10, 14-18) hosts Mid Michigan (7-6, 12-19) to close out the regular season. The NJCAA Region XII softball playoffs will take place in Marysville, MI on May 8-10.