Box Score ROSEMONT, Ill. – The No. 3 Grand Valley State Lakers fell in the season-opener, 4-3, to the William Jewell Cardinals Friday (Feb. 21) morning in their season-opener. The Lakers, who left 11 runners on base in the game, loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but couldn't push across the tying run. GVSU turns around to face Winona State at 12 ET.
 
Freshman Ashley Platek (L, 0-1) got the start in the circle. She showed some early jitters, allowing four runs over the first two innings, but settled in nicely to hurl five consecutive scoreless frames to close the game. She struck out seven and did not issue a walk.
 
After a two-run first for the Cardinals, sophomore Lydia Goble answered with a rocket double down the left field line to plate a Laker run in the home half of the first. William Jewell would add two more runs in the second inning before going quiet the rest of the day. Nikoma Holmen got the Lakers within a run by blasting her first home run of the season, a two-run jack, in the bottom of the fifth but the Lakers could get no closer.
 
The Lakers will look for a split on opening day as they turn around to face Winona State just 20 minutes after the conclusion of the opener. GVSULakers.com has links to live stats while @GVSUSoftball provides live updates on Twitter.