Softball Splits at Delta

Dakota Rachow
Dakota Rachow

 

UNIVERSITY CENTER — The Alpena Community College softball team split a doubleheader with Delta College on Sunday, falling 7-0 in Game 1 before responding with a 13-12 victory in a high-scoring nightcap. The Lumberjacks stand at 4-21 overall and 3-8 in MCCAA Northern Conference play.

The opener was all Delta. Pioneers pitcher Geena Gauthier was masterful, going the full seven innings and striking out 11 ACC batters while allowing just two hits and no runs. The Lumberjacks managed baserunners — drawing three walks and putting runners on in three different innings — but could never cash them in, stranding six on the afternoon.

Jordan Ashley took the loss, pitching six innings and allowing seven runs, four earned, on six hits. Delta scored in clusters, putting up two-run frames in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to pull away steadily. 

Rilee Tracy and Magdalyn Sandoval each collected a hit for ACC.

The nightcap was a different game entirely. the Lumberjacks pounded out 18 hits and scored 13 runs, with the offense coming in waves — three runs in the first, four in the second, and a decisive five-run fourth inning that broke the game open.

Dakota Rachow led the way, going 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored. Ava Rospierski was equally impressive, collecting three hits including two doubles and driving in a run. Jordan Ashley, playing third base in the second game, went 2-for-5 with four RBI, including a two-run double in the second inning. Reagan Sides added three hits and two RBI off the bench after entering in the second, and both Kirsten Neubecker and Alaina Neubecker scored three times apiece to fuel the scoring.

Jenna Sircely came on in relief and picked up the win, pitching 5.1 innings and striking out three, settling things down enough for ACC to protect the lead through the final frames. 

The Lumberjacks host Muskegon Community College for back-to-back doubleheaders on Monday and Tuesday, giving ACC four games to build on Sunday's momentum heading into the final stretch of the conference schedule.