The Lakeland softball team kicked off OCCAC play today by hosting the Owens Express in a doubleheader at Laker Field. The Lakers swept the Express by the scores of 13-6 and 11-8 in 2 very different ballgames. In game 1, the Lakers took control early. After surrending a 2-spot in the top of the 1st inning, the Lakers answered back in the home half by plating 4 runs to take a lead they would never relinquish. Carmen Alvarez was hit by a pitch to start the game. After a Peyton Trick walk, Astianna Coppes would single to load the bases. Midaliz Alvarez would then draw a walk and earn an RBI. Micaha Marbury followed with a fielder's choice to score Trick. Reagan Hayes would then hit a 2-out RBI-single scoring M. Alvarez and putting Marbury on 3rd base. Marbury would later score on a wild pitch. In the 2nd inning, the Lakers would add another run to take a 5-2 lead. C. Alvarez would hit a lead off double and eventually score on a Trick fielder's choice. In the 3rd inning, the Lakers would tack on 3 more runs to take a commanding 8-2 lead. Hayes got the inning started with a 1-out walk. Hayes would advance on a wild pitch before scoring on an RBI-single from Lillyan Agostine. With 2 outs in the inning, Carmen Alvarez would step to the plate and rip a 2-run homer. In the top of the 5 inning, the Express would battle back as they scored 4 runs to make the score 8-6. Lakeland wasted no time in responding as they plated 5 runs in the home half to close out the win. Lily Seay started things for the Lakers with a 1-out single. C. Alvarez would walk before Peyton Trick hit an RBI-single. Astianna Coppes would then rip a double down the line scoring 2 runs. Coppes would advance on a strikeout and passed ball by M. Alvarez. Coppes would later score on a wild pitch before Abby Haydu plated the Lakers final run with an RBI-single.
Astianna Coppes went 4-4 with 3 doubles and 2 RBI's. Carmen Alvarez went 2-2 with a double, a homerun, and 2 RBI's. Peyton Trick went 1-3 and collected 2 RBI's. Abby Haydu, Lillyan Agostine, Micaha Marbury, Reagan Hayes, and Midaliz Alvarez each picked up a hit and an RBI while Lilly Seay added a hit in the Lakers win. Peyton Trick picked up the win on the mound allowing 6 earned runs in a complete game effort while striking out 8 batters.
Game 2 would have a completely different feel. In this game, the Express would take early control before the Lakers roared all the way back to take the 11-8 win. The Express would score 3 runs to start the game before the Lakers answered in the home half of the 1st inning. Carmen Alvarez hit a leadoff single and would score on an RBI-double from Peyton Trick. Trick would then advance to 3rd on a fielder's choice from Astianna Coppes and then score on another fielder's choice from Midaliz Alvarez. The Express would score 3 runs in the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th inning to take a commanding 8-2 lead going into the bottom of the 4th inning. The Lakers would chip away. In the home half, Lakeland would score a run to make it 8-3. M. Alvarez would hit a lead off single and later advance all the way to 3rd base on a single by Abby Haydu. M. Alvarez would then score on a fielder's choice from Reagan Hayes. The Lakers would cut into the lead more in the 5th inning as Midaliz Alvarez ripped a 2-run homer to make the score 8-5. Lakeland shut the Express down in the top of the 6th and then erupted for 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. Lillyan Agostine started with a single and then stole second base. Megan Szczecinski then walked. Kennedy Danna followed with a sac bunt that was a close play at first. Agostine was able to score all the way from second base on the play. Carmen Alvarez then hit an RBI-single to score Szczecinski. C. Alvarez would later score on an RBI-double from Peyton Trick. Trick would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch and then Astianna Coppes and Midaliz Alvarez were both walked to load the bases. Abby Haydu followed with a deep sac fly to plate Trick. Reagan Hayes followed with a fielder's choice that became a close play at first and turned into an Express error allowing 2 more runs to score.
Midaliz Alvarez went 2-3 with a home run and 3 RBI's while Peyton Trick collected 2 hits (2 doubles) and 2 RBI's. Carmen Alvarez went 3-4 with an RBI while both Abby Haydu and Lillyan Agostine picked up a hit for the Lakers. Reagan Hayes was credited with 3 RBI's in the Lakers win. Leah Richter picked up the win on the mound pitching a complete game and allowing 8 earned runs while striking out 3 batters.
Next Up: Tomorrows (3/26) non-league games against Baldwin Wallace have been cancelled due to impending weather. The Lakers will play host to Hocking College on Friday (3/29) at Laker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
