The Lakeland softball team traveled to Sports Force Park today to face off against the Terra State Titans in OCCAC action. The Lakers would settle for a split on the day as they defeated the Titans 16-1 in game 1 before falling 13-5 in the nightcap. In game 1, Lakeland came out rolling in the first inning. Carmen Alvarez started things with a single and 2 stolen bases. Lillyan Agostine then reached on an error allowing C. Alvarez to score. Astianna Coppes then singled and Midaliz Alvarez followed with an RBI double. Abby Haydu would then hit a 2-RBI single before Emalee Harala followed with a single. Megan Szczecinski then ripped an RBI single. M. Alvarez walked to load the bases before Lillyan Agostine blasted a grand slam to give the Lakers a commanding 9-0 lead after a half inning of play. Lakeland tacked on 3 more runs in the 3rd inning, Kennedy Danna walked and advanced to second on a Carmen Alvarez single. Both runners would steal a base before Agostine hit an RBI-single. Midaliz Alvarez would follow with another RBI-single to plate C. Alvarez. The Lakers closed out their scoring in game 1 by plating 4 more runs in the 4th inning. Harala started things with a single before Kennedy Danna blasted a 2-run home run. Later in the inning, Agostine would single and score on an RBI-double from Astianna Coppes. Coppes would score the final run of the game for Lakeland as she scored on a RBI-single from Midaliz Alvarez.
Leah Richter picked up the win on the mound pitching 5 innings and allowing 1 run on 1 hit while striking out 3 batters. Offensively, Lillyan Agostine collected 3 hits and 6 RBI's while Midaliz Alvarez added 3 hits and 4 RBI's. Astianna Coppes added 2 hits and an RBI while both Abby Haydu and Kennedy Danna had a hit and 2-RBI's. Megan Szczecinski chipped in a hit and RBI while Emalee Harala collected 3 hits and Carmen Alvarez finished with 2 hits in the win.
Unfortunately in game 2, the Lakers could not stay away from the big inning. The Titans scored 7 runs in the second inning with a combination of hits and errors. Lakeland was never able to recover. Lakeland started well as they scored 2 runs in the 1st inning. Carmen Alvarez singled and stole second before Lillyan Agostine plated her with an RBI-single. Agostine would advance to second on a wild pitch and then to third base on Astianna Coppes fielder's choice. Midaliz Alvarez then scored Agostine with a sac fly. The Lakers would increase their led to 3-0 in the top of the 2nd inning as they added on another run. Reagan Hayes walked and would later score on an RBI-double from Megan Szczecinski. After surrending the 7 runs in the home half of the 2nd inning, Lakeland would try to chip away by scoring another run in the top of the 3rd inning. In the 3rd, Lillyan Agostine walked and stole second base before scoring on an RBI single from Abby Haydu. The Lakers would cut into the deficit again by scoring another run in the top of the 4th inning. The Lakers run came courtesy of a solo home run from Kennedy Danna. Now trailing 7-5, the Lakers were unable to hold off the Titans as they scored 6 runs in the final 2 innings.
Megan Szczecinski led the way going 2-3 (2B) with an RBI. Abby Haydu, Carmen Alvarez, Lillyan Agostine and Kennedy Danna also collected hits in the defeat. Athena Stute took the loss on the mound as she pitched 5 innings and allowed 11 runs (8 earned).
Next Up: The Lakers are scheduled to host Edison State on Thursday (4/11). First pitch is scheduled for 3:00pm.