ROSEMONT, Ill. – The No. 24 Grand Valley State softball team begins the 2021 season this weekend with four games at the Lewis Dome Tournament for their first games in over ten months. The Lakers will face Lindenwood (2:30 PM) and Illinois-Springfield (7 PM) on Saturday (Feb. 20) before squaring off with William Jewell (9 AM) and Hillsdale (11 AM) on Sunday.
 
The Lakers went 13-3 last season, winning 11 straight games to close out the COVID-shortened campaign. The potent lineup features the power-hitting Nikoma Holmen, Lydia Goble, Bailey Thatcher and Taylor Rieger. Add in Joanna Cirrincione's ability to get on, and steal, bases, and Morgan Wagner's, who did not strike out once in 42 at bats last season, ability to put the ball in play, and this lineup has the depth and balance to be relentless. Not to mention a fantastic first- and second-year freshman class.
 
In the circle, Hannah Beatus was in the midst of proving a finger injury that cost her most of the 2019 season was behind her, posting a 6-1 record and 0.57 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 49 innings. Freshman Ashley Platek went 5-2 with a 1.45 ERA in her pseudo first season to get her feet wet at the college level. Hannah Dieck and Samantha Gehrls, who hadn't gotten to pitch yet in 2020 due to her basketball commitments, will also be key members of the pitching staff.
 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20: Lindenwood and Illinois-Springfield
 
The Lions of Lindenwood went 11-4 last season, including a 2-1 win over the Lakers in 10 innings at the Dome Tournament, and also finished the 2020 campaign on a five-game win streak. Whitney Wendel was hitting .429 with four home runs and 17 RBI, all of which led the team last season, before the shutdown. Four Lions hit above. 340, including Wendel and Stormee Galka, who also went 7-8 stealing bases. Galka was also 6-1 in the circle and was second in innings behind only Amanda Weyh (5-2, 2.47 ERA).
 
Illinois-Springfield went 10-8 last season, including seven wins against GLIAC schools, but the Lakers earned an 8-1 win in the meeting last season. The Prairie Stars are an aggressive group, going 59-64 in stolen base attempts in just 18 games last season. They hit .309 as a team and scored 112 runs, led by Lakyn Wagoner, who hit .467 with three homers and 23 RBI. While the offense forced the issue, the pitching staff held an ERA of 6.69 and of the 106 runs allowed, 88 were earned.
 
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21: William Jewell and Hillsdale
 
William Jewell went 10-8 with a one-run win over the Lakers in the Dome Tournament. Abby Dubinski led the team with a .379 average and 11 RBI and was one of five Cardinals with a long-ball on the season. Lindsay Glynn was a perfect 12-12 in stolen base attempts and William Jewell as a team was not caught stealing once in 33 attempts. With a team ERA of 3.69, the Cardinals were a team that thrived in low-scoring affairs a season ago.
 
Hillsdale has already played four games this season, winning the first before three straight losses leading into the dome tournament, playing quality opposition in West Florida and North Georgia. Hitting just .139 as a team, the Chargers have struggled out of the gate offensively, without a single hitter with more than two hits through four games. Dana Weidinger has led the way in the circle with a 2.90 ERA and just one walk issued in 9.2 innings.
 
The Lakers look to pick up where they left off when 2020 came to a close and set the tone for the 2021 season. With an experienced team at the plate and in the field, the Lakers are poised for another run deep into the post-season. For updates on the Lakers' opening weekend, follow @GVSUSoftball or visit the schedule page on gvsulakers.com.