NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio – Lakeland softball had one inning that prevented it from sweeping a doubleheader against Kent State University – Tuscarawas as the Lakers lost the opening game 7-5 but then recovered in the second game for a 15-1 victory to earn the split of the doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
With the split, the Lakeland's overall record moves to 3-5.
Tuscarawas 7 – Lakeland 5
Lakeland was in a great position to win the first game of the doubleheader after holding a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh but Tuscarawas scored six runs to steal away a 7-5 victory.
Cameron Malkamaki hit two singles and brought in a run. Kallista Hribar doubled and brought in a run while Elizabeth Montgomery singled and had an RBI. Justine Barnes and Sam Szoradi each had a double in the loss.
Just about everything went right for the Lakers until the final inning as Lakeland got started in the opening inning when Barnes doubled with two outs and then Malkamaki brought her in with a single to left for a 1-0 lead. Tuscarawas did tie the game up in the third with a single run to make the score 1-1.
The Lakers took the lead back in the fifth and started when Szoradi reached base on an error and Jamie Matso walked. Both Szoradi and Matso scored on an error to give Lakeland a 3-1 lead.
Lakeland went after some insurance in the seventh as Szoradi started the inning with a double and was brought in by an RBI double by Hribar to center for a 4-1 lead. Montgomery followed with an RBI single to center for a 5-1 lead. Unfortunately, the lead did not hold up as Tuscarawas scored six runs in the final inning to steal the win.
Lakeland 15 – Tuscarawas 1
The second game was a complete turnaround for Lakeland as the Lakers poured on 15 runs in five innings to claim a split with a 15-1 victory over Tuscarawas.
Hribar had a near-perfect game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two home runs and two doubles while bringing in two runs. Cassidy Yarnell and Szoradi also went 4-for-4 while Dana Turchon earned three hits in the loss.
Nicole Watts got the win in the second game after pitching five innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out four.
Hribar couldn't have asked for a better start as she took the second pitch and blasted it over the fence in center for a 1-0 lead. Barnes matched the effort two batters later with a solo shot to center for a 2-0 lead. Szoradi added to the lead with an RBI single to left for a 3-0 lead.
Szoradi helped to extend the lead in the third inning with a two-run triple to right for a 5-0 lead and then she stole home for the sixth run. Tuscarawas scored its lone run in the bottom of the third to get within 6-1.
Hribar started the fourth just like the first inning with a solo home run to center for a 7-1 lead. Barnes kept her home run inside the park in the fourth but it brought in two runs for a 9-1 advantage. Szoradi put the Lakers in double digits with an RBI single to center for a 10-1 lead.
The Lakers went after more runs in the fifth inning as Hribar doubled and Montgomery reached on an error. Both Hribar and Montgomery scored on a two-run double by Malkamaki for a 12-1 lead. Turhcon brought in the 13th run with a single to right and then Szoradi capped the scoring with a two-run double to right for a 15-1 lead that would hold up until the final out.
Lakeland will again be on the road for a doubleheader against Marietta College JV on Friday, March 23 beginning at 3 p.m.
For more information about Lakeland athletics, visit www.athletics.lakelandcc.edu.
About Lakeland Community College
Founded in 1967, Lakeland Community College was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to our mission, Lakeland provides quality learning opportunities to meet the social and economic needs of the community.
Offering day, evening, weekend and online classes, the college serves more than 10,800 credit and 2,800 noncredit students (2016). For more information about the College, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.