Box Score vs. New Haven (W, 10-0)

Box Score vs. Northern State (W, 9-2)

Clermont, Fla. - On the final day of the Grand Valley State softball team's spring break trip to Florida, the #21 Lakers rolled through their final two opponents on Saturday (Mar. 10). GVSU earned a 10-0 five-inning mercy rule over New Haven and then finished off the week with a 9-2 win over Northern State to finish the week with an 11-1 record.

It may seem tough to duplicate, but for the second consecutive day, Grand Valley State scored eight runs in the top of the first inning of the team's first game of the day. On Friday (Mar. 9), the Lakers notched an eight-run first frame in a 15-1 defeat of Minnesota Crookston. GVSU matched that feat with eight runs in the top of the first against New Haven, although the Lakers did so - remarkably - with only two hits.

Grand Valley State had the top-ranked offense in Division II last season, but it was a combination of things that allowed the Lakers to plate eight runs with only a pair of hits. GVSU already led 1-0 after an error by New Haven scored junior Nellie Kosola, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. The Lakers loaded the bases with two outs and scored a second run on a Charger error, then junior Emily Holtnotched a bases-loaded walk for a 3-0 lead.

Senior Maggie Kerrigan was also hit by a pitch, this time with the bases still full, giving GVSU a 4-0 advantage, as Grand Valley State still did not have a base hit. That would change during Kosola's second at-bat of the inning, as she singled up the middle, scoring Holt and junior Emily Jones (reached on an error). The next batter was sophomore Briauna Taylorand she drilled a triple down the line in right field - her fourth three-bagger of the season - to score both Kerrigan and Kosola for an 8-0 cushion. The final line for the first inning read eight runs, two hits, two New Haven errors, two hit by pitches, and three walks.

Junior pitcher Hannah Santorabenefited from the early run support, but she could have been fine with just one Laker run. She did allow a one-out walk in the bottom of the first, but struck out the other three hitters in the inning. Santora went 1-2-3 in both the second and third innings, fanning two more batters in the third.

In the top of the third, Kerrigan doubled down the left field line and was pushed to third base on a bunt single from Taylor. Junior Katie Martin delivered a sacrifice fly that scored Kerrigan for a 9-0 lead. GVSU picked up its final run in the fourth, as senior Becky Gill led off with a single to left center and junior Maggie Kopaswalked. Three batters later, Kerrigan again smacked a double down the line in left field, scoring Gill for the final run of the game.

With the Lakers leading 10-0, the only question was if Santora would allow a base hit. Through four innings, she had allowed just three base runners. However, the leadoff hitter in the fifth, Shannon Angehr, blooped a single to right center field, ending the no-hit bit. It was the only hit Santora would give up, as she retired the final three batters and completed her one-hit shutout.

Santora moved to 4-0 with the victory, giving up just one hit in five innings, walking one batter and striking out six. In an odd twist, the loss went to New Haven's Kelsey Malloy, who actually did not allow a hit. She pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up seven runs (only one was earned), zero hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Due to Charger errors, only two of GVSU's 10 runs were earned.

Grand Valley State only totaled seven hits, as Taylor went 2-for-4 with a triple and a pair of RBI and Kerrigan was 2-for-2 with two doubles, two runs, and two ribbies. Kosola went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two runs driven in.

For the team's final game of the week, the Lakers met up with Northern State for the third time. GVSU had already defeated the Wolves on Monday (5-3) and Thursday (7-5 in eight innings). Grand Valley State continued its strong play early in games by notching three runs in the top of the first inning on Saturday night.

Kosola singled to center field and Taylor was hit by a pitch. The bases were loaded after a walk to Martin and up came sophomore cleanup hitter Miranda Cleary. She hit a tremendously high flyball to center field, but the wind on this night was so strong that it started to blow the ball back towards the infield. Despite the best efforts of Northern State's centerfielder, the ball fell just outside the infield dirt for an odd RBI single for Cleary, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead.

With two outs, Grand Valley State had two runners on base and sophomore Tonya Calkinssmashed one to left center field that could have been a home run if the wind wasn't as strong. It ended up hitting the fence for a two-run double, driving in Martin and Cleary for a 3-0 advantage. GVSU, however, couldn't make the lead stand up in the bottom of the first, giving up two runs to Northern State on only one hit, as the Lakers committed three errors in the frame.

Leading 3-2 in the top of the second, more sloppy play led to a pair of GVSU runs. The Wolves also committed three errors in an inning, leading to two Lakers runs and a 5-2 score. Senior pitcher Andrea Nicholsontook things into her own hands in the bottom of the second inning. After striking out the final two batters in the first inning, Nicholson struck out the side in the second, with two of the K's coming on swings.

Grand Valley State added to its lead in the third inning. After junior Kayleigh Bertram scored on a wild pitch, Taylor recorded an RBI infield single that scored Jones, who walked earlier in the frame. The Lakers loaded up the bases and scored two more runs without swinging the bat. Senior Carli Raisutisand Calkins earned back-to-back bases loaded walks, giving GVSU its final runs of the game.

The four-run third inning for the Lakers would be the final runs for either team, as Nicholson kept Northern State off the scoreboard. She allowed just one run on base in each of the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings, but did not permit a Wolf runner to make it past second base during any of those opportunities. Nicholson upped her record to 5-1 on the year by giving up only four hits and two runs (neither was earned), while walking two. She also struck out a career-high 10 batters in the win.

GVSU had just one batter with more than one hit, as Taylor was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Calkins delivered the two-run double and had three RBI, while Kosola, Martin, and Jones each scored two runs.

Thanks to a team batting average of .355 and a team ERA of 1.08, the Lakers return to Allendale with an 11-1 record. GVSU outscored its dozen opponents 84-23 over the past week, totaling 124 hits to just 55 for its foes. Grand Valley State's home opener is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 13), as the Lakers will welcome Saint Joseph's (Ind.) in a twinbill that is slated for a 3:00 p.m. start.