CLERMONT, Fla. - Grand Valley State dropped both of their games on the final day of their annual spring break trip to the NTC Spring Games. The Lakers first loss came at the hands of Drury University, as they were able to top GVSU by a score of 8-5 which was followed by a close 2-1 loss to Fairmont State. The losses move the Lakers to 6-10 overall heading into a double header against future GLIAC member Purdue-Northwest on March 18 in Hammond, Ind. 

Game one - vs. Drury (L, 8-5)
In the first three and a half innings of play, both teams could only muster a combined four hits against starters Allison Lipovsky and Jessica Kjeldgaard. The Panthers were able to get to Lipovsky in the bottom of the fourth as they scored three runs on two hits and an error. After issuing a walk followed by back to back doubles, Courtney Reinhold came in to relieve Lipovsky with the score 2-0. After an error allowed another run to score, Reinhold was able to induce a groundout and a popout to end the inning. 

Grand Valley was able to answer the Panthers three run inning with a four run inning themselves to take the one run lead. Senior Kelsey Dominguez reached via an error and was moved over to second thanks to a bunt single by Kaylie Rhynard which was followed by a walk to Lenza to load the bases. Senior Ellie Balbach then delivered a three RBI double to right center to tie the game at 3-3. Sophomore Rachel Terwilliger added the fourth run of the inning after pinch running for Balbach and scoring after an error by the Panther right fielder. 

The Laker lead wouldn't last long though as they Panthers would score five runs in the bottom of the fifth via four hits and two errors to bring the score to 8-4. Neither team would score in the sixth inning and the Lakers would only manage to put up one run in the top of the seventh before falling in an 8-5 affair. Rhynard finished 3-4 with a run scored and Balbach would end up 2-4 with three RBI's. The loss moves Reinhold to 1-3 on the season. 

Game two - vs. Fairmont State (L, 2-1)
The Lakers would take an early 1-0 lead over Fairmont State as they were able to push a run across in the bottom of the first inning. After Balbach pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, freshman Kayla Plastiak was able to hit a one out double to left field to get the ball rolling. Following the double, Jenna Lenza was hit by a pitch to put runner's on first and second with one out. A passed ball moved both of the runners up and Plastiak was able to beat the throw to home after a fielder's choice to the right side of the field by Balbach. 

Neither team would threaten again until the top of the fourth inning when Fairmont was able to string a few singles together. Back to back singles to open the inning followed by a SAC bunt put runners on second and third with only one out. Balbach was able to buckle down and strike out the next two Falcons to keep it a 1-0 game. 

Both teams would go 1-2-3 in the fifth inning before the Falcons would score their two runs in the top of the sixth. After the first Falcon batter walked, Addie Fullen would double down the left field line to put runner's at second and third with no outs. The next batter would single up the middle to knot the score at 1-1 with runners on first and third and still no outs. After a stolen base to put runner's on second and third, Balbach induced a groundout to make it two outs but followed that up with two straight walks which would score the second, and ultimately game winning, run. Balbach was replaced with junior transfer Allie Grys who was able to get out of the inning with no further damage being done by getting a strikeout and groundout. 

The bottom of the seventh would role around with the game still being 2-1 in favor of the Falcons. The Lakers would get their leadoff batter on courtesy of a Kelsey LaTour single. Pinch runner Ali Vander Meer would move up to second on a SAC bunt by Teagan Shomin to put a runner in scoring position with only one out. Unfortunately, the next two Laker batters would groundout and popout to end the game. Balbach was credited with the loss to move her to 1-2 on the season. The Lakers were only able to manage three hits in the game, those coming from Plastiak, Balbach (RBI), and LaTour. 

The Lakers will face Purdue-Northwest on March 18 before starting GLIAC play with a double header at Ashland the following weekend (3/25).