ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 10 Grand Valley State softball team split a doubleheader with the Purdue Northwest Pride Tuesday (March 29) in the GLIAC opener and 2022 home opener. The Lakers won game one, 6-3, but were outslugged, 14-9, in game two. GVSU is now 16-3 on the season.
 
A solo home run by the Pride gave them an early lead in game one, but the Lakers tied things up in the second on a moon-shot home run down the left field line by Taylor Rieger, her second of the year. Then a grounder with the bases loaded forced an out at home, but an attempt to double off Lydia Goble at first hit her back and bounced away, allowing a go-ahead run to score.
 
The Pride tied the game in the top of the fourth, but the Lakers answered with two runs in the home half. Joanna Cirrincione plated Megan Koenigshof from third on a groundout, then Goble went deep to straight away center for her third long ball of the year. Cirrincione singled home a run in the fifth then Morgan Wagner singled to drive in Goble in the sixth to give the Lakers a four-run cushion.
 
A couple errors and soft singles brought home a pride run and loaded the bases, getting the go-ahead run to the plate, but Hannah Beatus was able to strand the runners and secure the win. Beatus (W, 7-1) went the distance and allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits and a walk while striking out eight.
 
Purdue Northwest hit six home runs, including two in the first inning, to out-slug the Lakers in game two. GVSU is back in action this weekend as they host Ferris State Saturday (April 2) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 PM at the GVSU Softball Field.