Live Stats (Both Games)

The No. 14 GVSU softball team split a pair of games on Monday (March 4) in their second day at the PFX Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. A four-run fourth inning against Wilmington (Del.) powered the Lakers past the Wildcats before they dropped the nightcap, 2-1, to Missouri-St. Louis. They are now 6-2 on the season and have eight more games in the Sunshine State continuing with Northern State (9:15 AM) and Stonehill (11:30 AM) tomorrow morning. 
 
The Laker offense was propelled by freshman Lydia Goble, who went 3-5 at the plate with two homers, four RBI's, and two runs scored while sophomore Taylor Rieger went 2-5 with a triple and an RBI herself. In all, the Lakers managed four runs on nine hits in the pair of contests, while the duo of Goble and Rieger accounted for all of the Lakers' RBI's. 
 
In the circle, senior Allison Lipovsky improved to 4-0 after a complete game three-hitter against Wilmington where she struck out 13 batters compared to zero walks. Freshman Hannah Beatus was stuck with the loss in game two after throwing six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, four strikeouts, and two walks. She is now 2-2 on the season. 
 
Game One vs. Wilmington (W, 4-0)
Lipovsky opened the game with a statement, striking out the side on 14 total pitches to bring the Lakers up in the bottom of the frame but they failed to get anything going in what would turn out to be a pitching duel.
 
Goble would secure the first hit of the game with a one out single through the left side in the bottom of the second but would be stranded after stealing second base. Lipovsky continued to motor through the Wildcat lineup and was perfect through three innings before giving up her first hit to start the fourth which was a bunt single to third base. 
 
Just one other hit would be had until GVSU finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth with four runs on five hits. A bunt single back to the pitcher put Kaylie Rhynard on to start things off before she was sacrificed to second off the bat of Flaherty. She would score after Rieger ripped a single back up the middle. A fielder's choice and a single from Henning would put runners on first and second with two outs as Goble stepped up to the plate to deliver a huge three run bomb to right field to cap off the scoring and put GVSU up 4-0. 
 
A failed bunt attempt followed by two strikeouts would secure the victory for GVSU and Lipovsky as she turned in her fourth gem of the season to remain unbeaten. 
 
Game Two vs. Missouri-St. Louis (L, 2-1)
GVSU would suffer just their second loss of the season at the hands of the UMSL Tritons in what has become an annual regional matchup between the two teams down in Florida. The scoring occurred in just two innings but a costly error by the Lakers would prove to be the deciding factor in this tight game. 
 
On just the second pitch of the game, Goble smashed a solo shot over the center field fence to put the Lakers up 1-0 early. A double play and fly out would end the inning however and deny the Lakers the early momentum. 
 
Beatus would come out firing in the bottom of the first, striking out the side to start the game once again, getting three straight swing and misses and adding just 10 pitches to her total. 
 
A double in the bottom of the second by the Tritons would be the next action for anyone at the plate as Beatus and UMSL's Andee Tiffee would both be bringing their best stuff to the circle. GVSU and UMSL were both held hitless until the Tritons managed to break through in the bottom of the fourth in what would be the deciding inning. 
 
A single and an error would put runners on first and second with just one out before a bases clearing double would find its way deep into right center as the Tritons would go up 2-1. 
 
The Lakers would strang a base runner each in the fifth and sixth innings before a pair of strikeouts and a final groundout would end the game with GVSU trailing, 2-1. 
 
Again, the Lakers will be back in action tomorrow morning (March 5) when they face Northern State at 9:15AM and Stonehill at 11:30 AM.