Courtesy Photo The Alpena Community College softball team poses together in this photo provided by head coach Drew Ornelas.

ALPENA — The Alpena Community College Lumberjacks softball team is gearing up for an exciting season, with a clear focus on making it to the playoffs in May. Head Coach Drew Ornelas shared his goals and expectations for the team, emphasizing a season built on competitiveness, teamwork, and improvement.

“Our main goal is to make it to the playoffs,” Ornelas said. “We want to be a very competitive team that battles until the very end of every game.”

The team’s season began March 15, and they are currently 7-15.

The Lumberjacks have shown progress in key areas, notably in their batting performance. With a team batting average over .300, Ornelas is confident the team is on track for a successful season. Additionally, the team’s defense has significantly improved, with fewer errors compared to last year, a testament to the hard work and focus put into training.

“We’ve really concentrated on hitting this year, and the results are showing,” Ornelas said. “Our errors on the field are much fewer, and that gives us confidence heading into the tougher parts of the season.”

One of the standout features of this year’s team is the camaraderie and positive energy they bring to every game, Ornelas noted. Despite having a relatively young squad, the Lumberjacks have gelled quickly, with players consistently backing each other up and cheering one another on. This team spirit has played a major role in their success so far.

“The positivity of these young ladies is contagious,” Ornelas said. “They’ve made everything — travel, competition — feel easy so far, and their energy makes this season fun and exciting.”

Handling the long season and the demands of travel, Ornelas believes the key is to take things one play and one day at a time. The team’s youthful enthusiasm, combined with their talent and dedication, bodes well for their future prospects.

“This has been a very fun and exciting season so far,” Ornelas said. “I feel blessed to be able to coach such an incredible group of young women. I’m excited to see just how far we can go this year.”

As the Lumberjacks continue their season, all eyes will be on how far they can push themselves towards their playoff dreams. With a strong foundation built on skill, positivity, and a commitment to each other, the future looks bright for the team.

The team plays at Grace Christian University on Wednesday, and their next home game is April 17 against Delta College.