March 8, 2013
Box Score
Box Score - Mary 11, GVSU 2 (5 inn.)
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Grand Valley State softball team rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat region foe Cedarville, 8-7, in eight innings in the night cap on Friday at the NTC Spring Games. GVSU fell in its first game to Mary, 11-2, in five frames.
With the game in the Yellow Jackets favor, 7-2, heading in to the bottom of the seventh, GVSU tacked on five runs to send the game into extra innings. Senior Maggie Kopas started the inning with a single down the right field line and moved to second on as Nellie Kosola reached on an error. Another Cedarville miscue allowed Kopas to score and put runners on the corners. A walk to senior Katie Martin loaded the bases for Emily Jones.
With no outs, Jones sent a single to just over the third baseman's glove to bring in both Taylor and Kosola. A ground out moved the runners around and a single from Kayleigh Bertram brought Martin across. Cedarville then switched pitchers, but back-to-back walks pushed another run across for a 7-7 game with one out. With the bases still loaded, the Jackets were able to force an out at the plate and pick up a ground out to send the game to extras.
Senior pitcher Hannah Santora got the first batter swinging before a fly out made two outs. A single just past the short stop and stolen base put the go ahead run on second. On the next batter, Martin dove towards a short hit to first and tagged the batter out to send it to the bottom of the frame.
In the eighth, Taylor laid down a bunt just in front of home plate and beat the throw to first and moved to second on Martin's walk. Jones then sent a single just past the reach of the short stop to bring in the game-winning run and take the game.
Cedarville scored one in the second and two in the fourth for an early lead before Martin hit a home run to make it a 3-1 game in the bottom of the inning. The Jackets plated four runs in the seventh on four hits and a Laker error.
In the opening game, Miranda Cleary hit a home run to left center to score Taylor Fris who reached on a single down the right field line for the Lakers only runs of the game.
Santora (5-0) tossed six strikeouts, while giving up 12 hits, seven runs (four earned) and three walks in eight innings of work. For Cedarville, Courtnie Spain earned the start, surrendering eight hits, seven runs (three earned), four walks, while striking out three in 6.1 innings. Relief Cecelia DeBartolo gave up two hits, three walks and the game-winning run in the loss.
Mary scored six of its runs in the first inning on six hits and added to its lead with two runs in the second and one in the third. The Marauders then plated two more in the bottom of the fourth to run-rule the Lakers.
Kayla Hurd was tabbed with the loss, giving up five hits, six runs and two walks in 0.1 innings. Sarah Wyse tossed 2.2 innings, surrendering five hits, three walks and three runs. Closing out the game, Sara Andrasik struck out two, while giving up five walks and two runs in one inning of work.
On the day, Cleary was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two walks, while Kosola went 3-for-8 with a triple and run scored.
Grand Valley State closes out its spring break schedule against Southern Connecticut State on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Lakers then face Fort Hays State at 3 p.m. to end their 12-game stretch.
