CLERMONT, Fla. - Lake Superior State dropped their first game Monday at The Spring Games in Clermont, Fla., falling to Concordia (N.Y.) by a score of 4-3.
The Lakers (4-10) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Katie Martin reached base safely on an error and Kylie Durre scored from second base on a throwing error. Durre singled to open the inning and later stole second base.
Martin then moved to second base on a fielder's choice and later scored after a pair of passed balls.
The Clippers (1-0) the game at 2-2 in the top half of the fifth inning. Audrey Gardus tripled to drive in Cassidy Gorgo, who had reached first base on a fielder's choice. Gardus scored on a passed ball against Victoria Vickerman to tie the game. Vickerman later flied out to right field to end the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Teryn Williams drove in starting pitcher Alyssa Thayer (L, 1-5) to go up 3-2. Thayer had reached on an error by the second baseman to score the Lakers' third unearned run of the afternoon.
Hannah Rubasky pitched five innings for the Clippers and was tagged with the three unearned runs by the Lakers before giving way to Sarah Ross who pitched two innings and earned the decision for her first win of the season. Rubasky allowed four hits and struck out two batters.
The Clippers captured the lead in the top of the seventh inning. After a pair of passed balls set up runners on second and third, Gardus again found a hole in the Lakers defense and singled in the tying and go-ahead runs.
LSSU batters went down in order during the bottom of the seventh inning to close the game 4-3 in favor of the Clippers.
Thayer pitched the full seven innings allowing five hits, striking out four batter, and walking four. Thayer allowed just one earned run in the game.
The Lakers played Winona State during the day's second contest, and fell to the Warriors (11-2) by a score of 9-1.
Lindsey Pajot and Teryn Williams each went 1-for-2 at the plate to secure the only two hits for the Lakers in the defeat. Williams picked up the team's only extra-base hit with a double in the bottom of the fifth inning and later scored the Lakers' only run on a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Thayer.
The Warriors were led by Natalie Kalmes who went 3-for-3 with a home run and a double. Kalmes also racked up two runs batted in and scored two runs.
Paige Keegan also contributed 2 RBIs for WSU with a two-out single to center field in the top of the first.
Riley Durbano (L, 1-3) pitched 4.1 innings allowing only four earned runs on eight hits. Two errors by the Lakers defense helped contribute for the five unearned runs on the game for Winona State.
On the mound for the Warriors, Alex Walker (W, 2-1) pitched through 4.1 innings unscathed before Williams came around to score on the Lakers second out of the fifth inning. Walker finished with two strikeouts, allowed two hits, and walked one batter.
The Lakers play Sioux Falls on Tuesday and conclude The Spring Games with a game against California (Pa.) on Wednesday. LSSU opens Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on March 25 with a double-header at Hillsdale.