The No. 17 Grand Valley State softball team swept the Davenport Panthers on the road Saturday (April 10) in GLIAC action. The Lakers won game one, 2-1, before a 9-2 victory in game two. The Lakers improve to 22-4 overall and 13-1 in the league.
 
The Lakers edged out a win in a tight pitchers' duel in the opener. Trailing by a run in the fifth, Bailey Thatcher drew a leadoff walk and Megan Koenigshof singled through the left side. Joanna Cirrincione laid a bunt down the third base line to sacrifice herself and set up Taylor Rieger for a hard-hit grounder up the middle into center field for a two-run single to seesaw the Lakers in front. That score would be the final.
 
Hannah Beatus (W, 10-2) was dominant in the circle, save for a solo home run allowed in the third, as she allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out seven. She earned her seventh win in as many starts in GLIAC play this season. Nikoma Holmen also collected two hits to push her hitting streak to 15 games and hit safely for the 13^th time in as many GLIAC games.
 
Then the Laker bats woke up for the second game, scoring at least one run in five straight frames. After a first-inning run by the Panthers, GVSU put up a three-spot in the second. Paige Ligocki, Megan Koenigshof and Hannah Hollister all drove in runs with singles. Brooke Henning doubled home a run in the third and Holmen launched a solo homer to add to the lead in the fourth and extend her hitting streak. Hollister would put a bow on the win with a two-run knock in the fifth for a season and career-best three RBI in the game.
 
Ashley Platek (W, 7-2) went six innings in the circle, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four. Samantha Gehrls closed out the win with a scoreless seventh that included a strikeout.
 
The Lakers continue their road stretch as they visit the Parkside Rangers Sunday (April 11) in the first rematch with a GLIAC opponent this season. GVSULakers.com will provide links to live coverage while @GVSUSoftball on Twitter gives live updates.