Lakers Sweep CCAC Conference Doubleheader From Indiana South Bend in 2022 Home Opener

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Roosevelt University softball team finally had its 2022 home opener on Thursday, April 7, and the Lakers celebrated the day with a CCAC Conference doubleheader sweep of Indiana University South Bend at The Stadium at Parkway Bank Sports Complex, winning 10-2 in five innings and 13-5 in six innings.  The victories raised the team's conference record to 2-1 and their overall record to 9-8 on the year.

After a scoreless inning and a half to begin game one, the Lakers erupted for four runs in the bottom of the second inning.  Athena Pomele-Pen was hit by a pitch to lead off and advanced to third on an Eliza Belter single.  Ashlyn Kitter followed with an infield single to bring in Pomele-Pen for the first run of the game.  Anaisa Lozada made it a 2-0 ballgame with a double to right to score Kitter, and Jessica Schneider then had an infield single to score Emily Zuniga with Lozada also crossing the plate on an errant throw.

The Lakers kept up the momentum in the third inning with Pomele-Pen tripling in Kassie Kawka, who led off the inning with a walk.  Later in the inning, Zuniga doubled down the left field line to score Pomele-Pen and give RU a 6-0 advantage.

The Titans cut the deficit down to 6-2 in the top of the fourth with two runs on two hits and an error, but that would be the last scoring the visitors would manage in the contest.  Meanwhile, the Lakers put together another four-run inning in the fifth to end the game by run-rule with a 10-2 margin.  RU loaded the bases on a Sabrina Treccani walk, a Kitter base hit, and a Zuniga bunt single.  Lozada followed with a base hit to center field to score Treccani and Kitter for an 8-2 lead.  Kirstin Fudge then blasted a double to left field to drive in Zuniga and Lozada to give the Lakers the 10-2 victory.

The Titans struck first in game two, scoring one run on a hit and an error to take the early lead.  However, the Lakers came back with two runs in the bottom of the second with Pomele-Pen leading off with a double and Kirtsin Fudge following with a triple to tie the game at 1-1.  Two batters later, Brynn Dvoracek singled to center field to bring in Fudge for a 2-1 RU lead.

Indiana South Bend answered with another solo run on three hits in the third inning to tie the game again, but Roosevelt also scored a run in the bottom half of the inning.  Pomele-Pen hit her second triple of the day and scored on a Fudge sacrifice fly for a 3-2 advantage.

The visitors regained the lead the next inning, scoring three runs on a double and two singles to jump ahead 5-3.  However, RU reliever Kaylee Ramirez shutdown the Titans in the final two innings while the Lakers erupted offensively.

In the fifth inning, Schneider and Pomele-Pen both scored on a throwing error and Kassie Kawka singled home Treccani, who had walked and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. 

An inning later, Lozada led off with a double down the left field line and scored on a Schneider base hit to left.  Pomele-Pen then came through again, this time with a double to center to drive in Schneider.  Another RU double, this time by Fudge, scored Pomele-Pen and Treccani followed with a triple to right center to bring in Emma Wokurka, who pinch ran for Fudge.  Dvoracek walked and her pinch runner, Brielle Carre stole second to give the Lakers two runners in scoring position.  With one out, Kitter doubled to left center to score both runners and give the Lakers the 13-5 win.

GAME 1 DETAILS

Score:   Indiana South Bend         0  0  0  2  0             2     5   2
                Roosevelt                            0  4  2  0  4           10   11   1

W: Kate Sisson (2-3)        L: Abigail Yarnell (3-7)

Records: Roosevelt 8-8, 1-1 (CCAC) | Indiana South Bend 13-16, 4-3 (CCAC)

Location: The Ballpark at Parkway Bank Sports Complex | Rosemont, Ill.

KEY STATS

• Emily Zuniga went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, & two runs scored
• Anaisa Lozada was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI, & two runs scored
• Ashlyn Kitter went 2-for-3 with an RBI & two runs scored
• Kirstin Fudge was 1-for-3 with a double & two runs batted in
• Athena Pomele-Pen went 1-for-2 with a triple, RBI, & two runs scored
• Kate Sisson earned the win to raise her record to 2-3 on the year, pitching three innings & allowing one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts & a walk
• Samantha Norman threw two shutout innings in relief, allowing one hit while striking out three & walking one

GAME 2 DETAILS

Score:   Indiana South Bend         1  0  1  3  0  0        5     8   2
                Roosevelt                            0  2  1  1  3  6      13   15   1

W: Kaylee Ramirez (1-0)                 L: Maddy Edwards (4-2)

Records: Roosevelt 8-8, 1-1 (CCAC) | Indiana South Bend 13-16, 4-3 (CCAC)

Location: The Ballpark at Parkway Bank Sports Complex | Rosemont, Ill.

KEY STATS

• Athena Pomele-Pen went 3-for-4 with a triple, two doubles, an RBI, & four runs scored
• Kirstin Fudge was 2-for-3 with a double, triple, three RBI, & a run scored
• Jessica Schneider went 2-for-4 with a run batted in & two runs scored
• Ashlyn Kitter was 2-for-2 with a double & two RBI
• Brynn Dvoracek went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, & a run scored
• Sabrina Treccani was 1-for-3 with a triple, RBI, & two runs scored
• Kaylee Ramirez picked up her first win, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief
• Hailey Getz started the game, going 3 1/13 innings & allowing four earned runs on six hits

NEWS & NOTES

• The Lakers are now 5-5 versus the Titans in the all-time series
• Click here to view the current CCAC Conference standings

NEXT UP

The Lakers continue CCAC Conference action on Saturday, April 9 when they square off against Trinity Christian College in a doubleheader.  First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12pm at Schaaf Athletic Complex in Palos Heights, Ill.