CHEBOYGAN – It was almost like two different Cheboygan softball teams played on Wednesday.
One team came up with clutch hits, superb pitching and solid defense in a 4-1 game one victory over Alpena, while the other struggled defensively in a 10-1 defeat in game two.
It resulted in a split for the Chiefs (7-10), who are still looking to find consistency as the postseason nears.
As for game one, Lydia Kosanke once again provided the Chiefs with excellent pitching, tossing a seven-inning gem with seven strikeouts, two walks, one hit allowed and one earned run, earning the win.
Kosanke was also productive offensively, smacking a two-run single to give Cheboygan a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Presley Chamberlain had a solid offensive game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Nataleigh Blaisdell recorded a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Jenna Dodder and Addison Ptasnik each scored a run.
“The first game was excellent,” Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde said. “The game was 4-1, but I thought we could’ve hit the ball better. Too many called third strikes. We’ve got to be more aggressive at the plate. It was a nice, tight game. Good base running, good fielding, and great pitching.”
In game two, however, fielding issues plagued the Chiefs, who committed 10 errors.
“It’s hard to recover from that,” LaLonde said of the mistakes.
Avery Crawford pitched all seven innings in the loss, striking out four, scattering 11 hits and walking four.
Chamberlain went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored to lead the Chiefs, who received an RBI double from Blaisdell and a hit from Aubrey Mastin.
Cheboygan gets back on the field quickly when it hosts Elk Rapids on Thursday.
Stead cards personal-best round at Belvedere
CHARLEVOIX – The Cheboygan boys golf team saw two players earn spots in the top 10 during the Charlevoix Invitational at Belvedere Golf Club on Wednesday.
Led by a third-place finish from Tristan Stead, who fired a personal-best 79, the Chiefs (375) finished fifth as a team. Also hitting a personal best was Jacob Pluszczynski, who carded an 84 to finish eighth, while David Chase (22nd, 101) posted the best score of his career. Rounding out the Chiefs were Owen Kimbrell (28th, 111), Carson Kiefer (29th, 112) and Jesse Harbison (36th, 128).
“We’re getting better, but we still need more players to shoot under 100 to challenge for the conference title,” Cheboygan coach Earl Parsons said.
Elk Rapids (329) finished in first, 11 shots clear of runner-up Charlevoix (340). The Elks were led by individual medalist Blake Springstead, who shot a 74.
Cheboygan competes in the Grayling Invitational at Forest Dunes Golf Club on Tuesday, May 13, then will play in the Northern Shores Conference finals in Harbor Springs on Thursday, May 15.
Mackinaw City softball sweeps Alanson
MACKINAW CITY – The Mackinaw City softball team swept Alanson, claiming 18-3 and 17-2 victories in a Northern Lakes home doubleheader on Tuesday.
In game one, the Comets (8-6, 7-3 NLC) were led by two hits apiece from Vanessa Groenewoud (RBI) and Poppy Wallace. Kenzlie Currie (two RBIs, three runs), Julia Short (two RBIs) and Jillian Poumade (RBI) each had a hit. Other contributors were Elizabeth Kruczynski (RBI), Emily Kruczynski (four runs) and Rian Esper (three runs).
Short was the winning pitcher, striking out one, allowing one hit and walking four in three innings.
Currie’s three hits and four RBIs lifted Mackinaw City in the nightcap, while Wallace (four RBIs, four runs) and Groenewoud (three RBIs) tallied two hits apiece, and Poumade (RBI) added a hit. Emily Kruczynski (RBI), Chloe Richards (RBI), Esper (three runs), Alaia Mendez (three runs) and Elizabeth Kruczynski (three runs) rounded out the Comets offensively.
Ella Kruczynski earned the pitching win, striking out eight, scattering one hit and walking four in four innings.
Mackinaw City hosts Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy on Friday.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan softball sees good and bad against Alpena; two Chief golfers finish in top 10
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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