Wilson Throws Perfect Game in 4-0 Sweep of Alpena
Decatur , AL – The Calhoun Warhawks put together a dominant four-game sweep of Alpena on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19-20, outscoring the Lumberjacks 51-9 across the series. Behind explosive offense and dominant pitching, highlighted by freshman Addilee Wilson's perfect game, Calhoun protected home turf in emphatic fashion.
Game 1 – Calhoun 11, Alpena 3
The Warhawks wasted no time setting the tone for the series, erupting for eight runs in the bottom of the first inning to seize early control.
Alpena answered with three runs in the third, but Calhoun never let the momentum shift. The Warhawks added three more in the bottom of the fifth to secure the 11-3 run-rule victory.
Madison Allen went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base, while Addison Wallace tripled and drove in two. Emily Burgreen added two hits and an RBI, and Morgan Lane and Emily Jones each batted in runs in the balanced attack. Tabitha Frazier and Tessa Jacobs both doubled as part of Calhoun's 14-hit performance.
In the circle, Emellie Hamilton earned the win, tossing five innings while allowing just four hits and striking out seven. None of the three runs she allowed were earned.
Game 2 – Calhoun 19, Alpena 0
Game two belonged entirely to the Warhawks, and to freshman pitcher Addilee Wilson.
Calhoun exploded for 19 runs over the first three innings, overwhelming Alpena offensively. Meanwhile, Wilson was flawless in the circle, retiring all 15 batters she faced in a five-inning perfect game. She struck out seven in a dominant outing that highlighted the afternoon.
The offense was relentless. Keara Hall drove in three runs, Kenley Holcombe had two hits and two RBI, and Missey French added two RBI of her own. Emily Jones, Addison Mikel, Alyce LouAllen, Keeli Mullins, and Sage Lewis all knocked in runs in the 17-hit outburst. Kenley Holcombe also swiped two bases as Calhoun applied pressure in every phase.
The 19-0 victory secured the day-one sweep in commanding fashion.
Game 3 – Calhoun 11, Alpena 4
Friday's opener was the only game of the series to go the full seven innings, but Calhoun remained firmly in control.
Alpena struck first with a run in the top of the first, but the Warhawks immediately answered with three in the bottom half. Calhoun continued to build the lead with two runs in the second, two more in the third, and one in the fourth.
After Alpena pushed across three in the sixth, Calhoun responded yet again, scoring three in the bottom of the frame to shut the door.
Keeli Mullins led the Warhawks with a standout performance, recording two hits and two RBI, while Addison Wallace drove in three. Keara Hall and Emily Jones each added batted in runs, and Tabitha Frazier reached base three times and drove in a run.
Kaylee Williams earned the complete-game win, allowing four runs, two earned, while striking out four.
Game 4 – Calhoun 10, Alpena 2
Alpena jumped ahead early in the finale with two runs in the first inning, but the Warhawks answered quickly and decisively.
Calhoun scored once in the bottom of the first before taking full control with three runs in the second and five in the third. The Warhawks added another in the fifth to secure the 10-2 run-rule victory and complete the sweep.
Tabitha Frazier and Emily Burgreen each doubled, while Keara Hall drove in two. Tessa Jacobs added an RBI, and Kenley Holcombe reached base twice and scored two runs.
In the circle, Aynslee Malone earned the win with two innings of work before Wilson returned to quiet the Alpena dugout and close out the final three scoreless frames.
Head Coach Denton Bowling was pleased with the weekend performance but knows there is still room to improve. "We had a really good weekend to get our legs under us at home in some great weather," Bowling said. "I thought our energy was strong and we competed the right way. Now it's about cleaning up the unforced mistakes."
The Warhawks will look to build on the four-game sweep as they continue their home slate on Tuesday, Feb. 24, against Cleveland State at 11 a.m.
