ROSEMONT, Ill. – The No. 9 Grand Valley State Lakers are off to their best start since 2016 after taking both games Saturday (Feb. 26) on the final day of the Lewis Dome Invitational to start the season 5-0. The Lakers dropped Truman State, 12-0, in game one then stormed back for a 6-5 win in extra innings over Winona State in the night cap.
 
Hannah Beatus turned in another gem in the circle in game one, following Friday's no-hitter with a complete-game, two-hit shutout without allowing a runner into scoring position. She struck out seven.
 
The Lakers broke the scoreless tie with a four-run third inning, which would be plenty of offense. They'd add two in the fifth, another in the sixth, then broke the game open with a five-run seventh.
 
The Lakers scored twice in the first inning of game two, but Winona State answered with two in the fifth, then single tallies in the sixth and seventh to put the Lakers' undefeated start to the test. GVSU answered on a Joanna Cirrincione RBI double, plus an advance on an error that would lead to a score on a sacrifice by Lydia Goble to tie the game.
 
After Winona took advantage of the international tie-breaker for a run in the eighth, the Lakers answered with two on the home side. Morgan Wagner doubled home the free runner at second, then Jaye Guichelaar ran for her and scored after a sac-bunt then Kaitlin Lynch beat out an infield single to allow her to cross the plate with the sprint-off winner.
 
Genesis Eggart (W, 2-0) went the distance in the second game, allowing five runs – three earned – on eight hits and a pair of walks while striking out four.
 
The Lakers will travel to Florida for their 12-game spring trip next week during Spring Break. GVSUlakers.com will provide links to live stats and video while @GVSUSoftball provides live updates on Twitter