Cheboygan soccer responds; Inland Lakes baseball, softball sweep doubleheaders

SHEPHERD – After suffering its first loss of the season on Monday, it was imperative for the Cheboygan girls soccer team to immediately respond on Tuesday.

Fueled by two goals from sophomore Jaelyn Wheelock and another from freshman Elise Markham, the Chiefs avenged defeat to Tawas a day prior and captured a 3-0 victory at Shepherd.

“I thought tonight was good,” Cheboygan coach Tom Markham said. “We were no doubt tired, banged up and disappointed from Monday, but the girls found a way to get out and be successful tonight.”

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Cheboygan (6-1-1, 6-1-1 Northern Michigan Soccer League) was dominant during the contest, posting 17 shots and forcing 11 corner kicks. Wheelock’s two goals came seven minutes apart late in the first half, with one being assisted by Markham and the other by Ava Baldwin. Ava Ingelsbe was credited with the assist on the Markham goal.

Cheboygan will have a few days off before hosting Ogemaw Heights in a 5 p.m. matchup on Friday.

“We’re going to have two sharp practices, and our intention is to put in a game against Ogemaw, another tough competitor,” Markham said. “We’re young, but we have a lot of freshmen and sophomores who are stepping up.”

In junior varsity action, Madalyn Schlak, Breahna Campbell and Riley Shane each scored a goal in Cheboygan’s 3-0 victory over Boyne City.

Bulldogs improve to 10-0, 6-0 Ski Valley

FIFE LAKE – The Inland Lakes baseball team just keeps cruising along.

On Tuesday, they continued their pursuit of a third consecutive Ski Valley Conference title by sweeping Forest Area with 14-1 and 8-0 victories.

Senior Connor Wallace was I-L's winning pitcher in the opener, striking out nine in three no-hit innings. Wyatt Hanel pitched two relief innings, striking out three.

Jake Willey’s four hits, two RBIs and three runs scored lifted the Bulldogs (10-0, 6-0 Ski Valley Conference), who received three hits and an RBI from Aidan Fenstermaker, two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored by Payton Teuthorn, two hits and an RBI from Ty Kolly, a hit and two RBIs apiece from Wallace and Logan McMullen, and a hit, an RBI and two runs scored from Collin Maves.

Fenstermaker tossed a five-inning no-hitter and earned the pitching win in game two, striking out 12.

Willey capped off his red-hot offensive day with a two-run homer and knocked in three runs, while Fenstermaker had a hit, three RBIs and two runs scored. Teuthorn added a hit and Wallace and Kolly each scored two runs.

Inland Lakes will play in its home tournament on Saturday.

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Thompson’s first-career HR highlights I-L softball sweep

FIFE LAKE – The Inland Lakes softball team got back on track in conference play by sweeping Forest Area with 14-7 and 11-2 victories on Tuesday.

I-L's game one win was headlined by a first-career home run from senior Lakyn Thompson, who finished with an RBI. Meanwhile, Erica Taglauer and Jenna Stubbs each singled.

Maggie Grant was the winning pitcher, striking out seven, allowing seven hits and walking one in six innings.

Brooklyn LaBrecque doubled and knocked in five runs to lift the Bulldogs (5-5, 4-2 Ski Valley Conference) in the nightcap. Adyson Fenstermaker laced two singles, while Alexis Langworthy, Taglauer and Stubbs each singled and knocked in a run.

Lexi Kovtun earned the win on the mound, striking out five, walking six and allowing one hit in three innings.

Inland Lakes hosts its home tournament on Saturday.

Mackinaw City softball splits with Wolverine

MACKINAW CITY –The Mackinaw City softball team secured a split with Wolverine by earning a 19-14 victory in game one of a Northern Lakes Conference doubleheader on Monday.

Rian Esper tripled, singled, had two RBIs and scored three runs for the Comets in the opener, while Poppy Wallace tripled, singled twice and scored three runs. Adding two hits apiece were Vanessa Groenewoud (three RBIs, two runs), Liz Kruczynski (double, RBI, two runs) and Julia Short (RBI, two runs). Kenzlie Currie (two RBIs) and Keilan Thompson (run) each singled. Jillian Poumade scored a run.

Groenewoud was the winning pitcher, striking out eight and allowing six hits in six innings.

However, the Comets suffered a 16-9 loss in the nightcap. Esper doubled, singled, had four RBIs and scored two runs for Mackinaw City, while Wallace added two singles and scored a run, Groenewoud singled, had an RBI and scored two runs, Emily Kruczynski singled and had an RBI, Short singled and scored two runs, and Poumade scored twice. Groenewoud took the loss in game two, striking out three and allowing three hits in three innings.

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 girls soccer tops Shepherd; Inland Lakes baseball, softball sweep Forest Area