Firebirds Roar in Opener, Thunderbirds Strike Back in Doubleheader Split

April 18, 2025 — Alpena, MI
Delta College split at Alpena in another doubleheader, powering past the Lumberjacks 10–2 in Game 1 before dropping the nightcap, 8–2.

Game 1: Delta 10, Alpena 2
Delta blew the game open early, plating three in the first on an RBI single by Geena Gauthier and a two‑run homer from Hannah Hycki. After Alpena cut the lead to 3–2 with two runs in the second, Delta pulled away with a four‑run fifth. Kennady Tiitola crushed a two‑run double, Hycki added her fourth RBI on a sac fly, and Katie Chinavare's booming double brought home another. Hycki finished 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs, while Gauthier (1 ER in 4 IP, 6 K) earned the win and Geena Gauthier struck out one in a scoreless sixth. Delta finished with ten hits and left only three on base; Taylor Krentz took the loss for Alpena, yielding ten runs (eight earned) over five innings.

Game 2: Alpena 8, Delta 2
Alpena answered emphatically in Game 2, exploding for five runs in the second inning. Jordan Ashley's RBI double keyed the rally, and Faith Cousins added an RBI single. The Lumberjacks added another in the third before Delta got two back in the fifth on an RBI single by Alicia Candelaria. But back‑to‑back homers and timely hits—highlighted by Ashley's two‑run shot in the sixth—salted the game away. Jordan Ashley (7 IP, 2 ER, 10 K) twirled a gem for the win, while Cadence Swartz bore the loss despite striking out five over 5.2 innings.

Saturday Summary
Delta's offense showed punch in Game 1, but inconsistent pitching and defensive miscues in Game 2 proved costly. The split moves Delta to 9–24 on the season as they prepare for next week's home series.