The Lakeland softball team traveled to Piqua today to face off against the Edison State Chargers in OCCAC action. Both teams played strong games as the teams would split the doubleheader. The Lakers would win game one 4-3 before falling in the nightcap 7-5. In game 1, Edison State would jump to a 3-0 lead by scoring a run in the 1st inning and 2 more in the 2nd inning. In the 3rd inning, the Lakers would cut into the lead by scoring 2 runs. Megan Szczecinski got things going with a leadoff single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Szczecinski went to 3rd on a single by Kennedy Danna and later scored on an error. Danna later scored on a fielder's choice from Carmen Alvarez. Lakeland took the lead In the 5th inning as Megan Szczecinski got things going with another leadoff single. Szczecinski advanced to second on a sac bunt from Kennedy Danna. C. Alvarez followed with a single before Lillyan Agostine brought them both home with a double. From there Midaliz Alvarez and the Lakers defense kept the Chargers at bay as they held on for the win.
Midaliz Alvarez picked up her first collegiate win as she hurled a complete game allowing 3 earned runs while scattering 8 hits. Megan Szczecinski went 2-3 and scored 2 runs while Carmen Alvarez collected 2 hits and an RBI. Lillyan Agostine had the big 2 RBI-double for the Lakers while Kennedy Danna and Reagan Hayes picked up hits in the Lakers victory.
In game 2, Lakeland would take a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning. Abby Haydu started the inning with a walk and went to 3rd on a double from Reagan Hayes. Haydu would later score on an RBI-single from Micaha Marbury. The lead was short-lived though as the Chargers exploded for 7 runs in the home half of the inning. The Lakers jumped right back into the game as they score 3 runs in the top of the 3rd inning. Lillyan Agostine got it going with a 1 out single before advancing to 3rd base on a double from Astianna Coppes. Both runners would score on a double from Midaliz Alvarez. M. Alvarez would later score on a two-out double from Reagan Hayes. Lakeland would put runners on, but were unable to score again until the 7th inning. Astianna Coppes hit a leadoff double before scoring on an RBI-double from Abby Haydu. Reagan Hayes then singled to put runners on the corners with just one out, but unfortunately the Lakers were unable to push any more runs across.
Offensively, Astianna Coppes went 3-4 with 3 doubles. Reagan Hayes also recorded 3 hits as she had 2 doubles and an RBI. Midaliz Alvarez picked up 2 doubles and 2 RBI's while Carmen Alvarez picked up 2 hits. Micaha Marbury added a hit and RBI while Abby Haydu, Kennedy Danna, and Lillyan Agostine each added a hit for the Lakers. Leah Richter took the tough loss on the mound pitching the complete game and allowing 7 earned runs on 7 hits.
Kramer's Comments: "Two excellent games by both teams today. I was really pleased with our effort. There were also some STELLAR defensive plays and some clutch hitting. Really a good day."
Next Up: The Lakers will waste no time as they have to hit the road again tomorrow when they travel to Owens Community College for a noon doubleheader.