MIDLAND, Mich. - Lake Superior State was unable to maintain a late-lead in the second game of Friday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball series against Malone University, held on the campus of Northwood University in Midland, Mich.
The Lakers (4-28, 0-16 GLIAC) fell 11-0 against the Pioneers (12-19, 2-14 GLIAC) in the series opener after getting out hit 14-6. Malone added five runs to their 6-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning and held the Lakers scoreless in the bottom half to earn the eight-run mercy rule in six innings.
Kari Hall (W, 10-14) pitched the complete game, striking out eight hitters along the way to a shutout. The Lakers countered with senior Alyssa Boucher (L, 1-8), who pitched 5.2 innings and allowed six earned runs on 11 hits.
Game 2
LSSU opened the scoring, batting first, in the top of the first inning of the finale. Sophomore Lindsey Pajot shot a double to left center field to score Teryn Williams and put the Lakers up 1-0.
After the Pioneers received a two-run home run from Abbie Hughes in the bottom half of the first, the Lakers reclaimed the lead in the top of the second inning. Emily Estep singled up the middle to advance Kelsey Mader and score Jenna Holt. With two outs and the bases loaded, Pajot singled up the middle to score Estep and Mader before Taylor Steinhelper got caught in a run-down to end the inning.
The Pioneers brought the game even again in the bottom of the second inning, 4-4.
After the teams traded leads through the middle innings, Katie Martin singled in Katey Hendershott to deliver the Lakers' fourth lead of the game to go ahead 8-7 in the top of the seventh inning.
Malone opened the bottom of the seventh with a single from Alex Holztrager. Kennedy Johnson then reached on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to second on an errant throw that put Alexa Holtrager on third. Hughes scored Holztrager in the next at bat with another sacrifice bunt. Johnson was called safe on a bang-bang play at third base that also helped Hughes advance to second base with no outs. Kerri Manley singled in the winning run with a bunt to second base, scoring Johnson unearned.
Freshman Alyssa Thayer (L, 1-9) pitched six innings and allowed only four earned runs on nine hits and three walks. Thayer also registered three strikeouts.
The Lakers host GLIAC member Walsh at Fisher Stadium at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday morning to conclude the weekend.