Grand Valley State fell on the short end of a pair of one-run contests on the opening day of GLIAC play in Columbus, Ohio on Friday afternoon (Mar. 24). The Lakers dropped a 5-4 extra-inning contest to Ohio Dominican on a walk-off single from the home team; ODU completed the sweep in game two with a 3-2 victory.
 
It was the opening doubleheader for both conference teams. Despite leading early in both contests, Grand Valley State drops to 8-12 on the season and 0-2 in GLIAC play, while Ohio Dominican improves to 15-13 overall and 2-0 in league action.
 
The Lakers return to the field on Saturday morning (Mar. 25) at Ashland against the Eagles. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., in an attempt to stay ahead of potential inclement weather later in the afternoon.
 
Game One (L, 5-4 / 8 innings)
 
The Lakers tallied a pair of runs in the first at-bats of the GLIAC season - and did so with a two-out rally. Senior Jenna Lenza singled to right field with two outs in the first inning and came around to score on a triple to left field from classmate Ellie Balbach for a 1-0 GVSU lead. Sophomore Shannon Flaherty followed with a run-scoring single up the middle to put the visitors in front, 2-0.
 
Grand Valley State struck again in the fourth inning to take a 3-0 cushion. Freshman Kelcie LaTour led off the frame with a single down the right field line and classmate Kayla Plastiak followed two batters later with an RBI triple to bring LaTour in for the three-run lead.
 
Ohio Dominican struck for single runs in the fourth and fifth frames off Laker starter Allison Lipovsky, trimming the 3-0 deficit to a 3-2 score. GVSU pushed back out to a 4-2 advantage in the top of the seventh when Flaherty's RBI double scored Lenza, who reached on an infield single to lead off the frame.
 
The Panthers answered in what appeared to be their final at-bat. ODU tallied a one-out single, which was followed up by a game-tying two-run homer from Kelly Wallace, knotting the score at 4-4. After that turn of events, Ohio Dominican put two runners on with two outs, but Lipovsky induced a foul flyout to escape the jam and send the game into extra innings.
 
In the top of the eighth, the Lakers put a pair of runners on base with two outs, but a foul popup ended that threat. ODU used a leadoff walk and a bunt single to start the bottom of the frame, then moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. With one out, Taylor Kline's single through the left side was the game-winning hit, bringing in the decisive run for a 5-4 victory.
 
Both Lipovsky and ODU's Abby Lamping logged a huge number of pitches in the extra inning affair. Lipovsky (2-2) tossed 164 pitches in the loss, notching 7.1 innings in the circle. She allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) to go with five walks and a pair of strikeouts. Lamping (7-5) threw 149 pitches in her 8.0 innings of work, giving up four earned runs on 11 hits. She also tallied five walks and two strikeouts.
 
Lenza and Flaherty each went 3-for-4 in the game, with Lenza scoring twice and Flaherty collecting a pair of RBI. Balbach and Plastiak each tripled in the loss.
 
The Lakers outhit Ohio Dominican by an 11-8 count. Both teams committed two errors. It was the first extra-inning game of the season for Grand Valley State.
 
Game Two (L, 3-2)
 
GVSU again began the scoring in game two, plating a run in the bottom of the second inning. The Lakers loaded the bases with LaTour taking a hit by pitch and senior Kelsey Dominguez and Plastiak tallying back-to-back singles. With one out, junior Kaylie Rhynard delivered a flyball to left field that turned into a sacrifice fly, scoring pinch runner Rachel Terwilliger for the 1-0 lead.
 
Balbach was in the circle during game two and made the 1-0 lead hold up until the top of the fourth inning. Ohio Dominican struck for a pair of runs in the fourth with a sacrifice fly and the Panthers took a 2-1 lead with an RBI single.
 
The Lakers looked to regain the lead in the bottom of the fifth, as GVSU loaded the bases with a fielder's choice to Balbach, a Flaherty double down the left field line, and a walk to senior Janae Langs. A fly out, however, ended the threat.
 
Ohio Dominican extended the lead to a 3-1 advantage with a pair of hits and two Laker errors in the top of the sixth inning. GVSU did immediately respond with a run of its own in the home half of the frame. Plastiak worked a one-out walk and stole second base. A Panther throwing error allowed Rhynard to reach second base and brought Plastiak in to score and cut the deficit to 3-2 in ODU's favor.
 
Balbach worked through the top of the seventh inning and kept it as a one-run game. Flaherty walked with one out and moved into scoring position with two outs, but the game ended on a groundout.
 
The hard-luck loser was Balbach (1-5), as the lefty allowed three runs, but none were earned. She gave up nine hits and two walks, while striking out four. Bailey Miller (4-4) earned the win for ODU with 4.2 innings of one-run ball, while Lamping followed her game one win with a save in the nightcap. She allowed a run - but no hits - in 2.1 innings, issuing a pair of walks.
 
Ohio Dominican outhit GVSU by a 9-6 margin. Flaherty was the lone Laker with multiple hits in game two, as she went 2-for-3 with a double.