The Lakeland softball team traveled to Hocking College on Saturday and came away with two important wins. By sweeping Hocking College, Lakeland's record improves to 6-5-1 (6-3-1). The scores of the games were 16-6 and 17-3. Game one started slow for the Lakers as they gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. The Lakers halved the lead in the top of the 2nd inning as Mia Cipriano walked and later scored on a Megan Wallace single. The Hawks scored another run in the home half of the 2nd to increase their lead back to 2 runs. The back and forth affair continued as Lakeland took it's first lead at 5-3 by plating 4 runs in the top of the 3rd inning. Casey McHugh hit a leadoff home rune. Later in the inning, a Lindsey Fergus single was followed by a Tatianna Matuz walk. Bailey Cravens and Gina Grandini took care of the rest with RBI doubles. The lead would not last though, as the Hawks countered with 3 runs in the 4th inning to take a 6-5 lead.  That score would remain until the top of the 7th inning when the Lakers would explode for 12 hits and 11 runs. Cipriano would double home both Cravens and Matuz to put the Lakers back up 7-6 and then the Lakers would roll from there. Lindsey Fergus, Mia Ciporiano, and Gina Grandini which each record two hits - in that inning. Lindsey Fergus finished with 3 hits in the game while Bailey Cravens and Mia Cipriano each recorded 3 RBI's. Madison Tatka made her first college start on the mound and picked up the win hurling 6 innings and allowing 6 runs (4 earned) while striking out 2 batters.

Game two had a similar feel for the Lakers. This time they jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st ining. Lindsey Fergus and Bailey Cravens got the Lakers going with consecutive singles. Mia Cipriano and Madison Tatka later followed with run scoring doubles to stake the Lakers to the lead. After surrending a run to the Hawks in the home half of the 1st ining, the score would remain 3-1 until Lakeland tacked on two runs in the 4th inning. Megan Wallace's triple after a Gina Grandini walk was the key blow in the inning. The Hawks would fight back and add 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the 4th inning to make the score 5-3. Again, the score would remain until the top of the 7th inning. This time, the Lakers exploded for 12 runs on 12 hits to finish out the game. In the inning, Georgia Briggs and Cipriano both tripled and Casey McHugh doubled. The Lakers would also record 9 singles in the inning. Fergus, McHugh, and Matuz would pick up 2 hits each in the inning. Mia Cipriano went 5-5 (2 doubles and a triple) while Lindsey Fergus finished the game with 4 hits. Gina Grandini picked up 3 hits in the nightcap. Madison Tatka finished with 3 RBI's while Megan Wallace, Tatianna Matuz, and Georgia Briggs each added 2 RBI's. Georgia Briggs picked up her first collegiate win pitching 7 innings and allowing 3 runs (2 earned) while striking out 6 batters.

Morganti Mentions: "Both of our pitchers gave us a chance to win today and in both games are offense really responded to secure the wins.We played with a lot of energy today! It was a good day for the Lakers! We are looking forward to the next challenge - a good Edison State team."

Next Up: The Lakers are scheduled to travel to Edison State on Monday in a 2pm doubleheader against the Chargers.