Lakers Softball Offense Ignites to Split Doubleheader Against Cardinal Stritch

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Roosevelt University softball team split a CCAC doubleheader with Cardinal Stritch University on Tuesday, April 19, losing the first game by the score of 7-3 and then exploding offensively for a 9-1 win in game two. The split takes the Lakers conference record to 6-7 and their overall record to 13-14 on the year.

The first game of the doubleheader was controlled early by Cardinal Stritch as they scored four runs over the first three innings. Down four, the Lakers looked to chip away at the lead as Athena Pomele-Pen tripled down the right field line. Just a few pitches later, Pomele-Pen scored on a passed ball. With the Wolves reeling, Kirstin Fudge followed up with a double to left. Looking to advance Fudge, Kassie Kawka dropped down a picture-perfect bunt that turned into a single. A throwing error by the Wolves pitcher allowed Fudge to sneak home to trim the deficit to 4-2. With Kawka now on second, Brynn Dvoracek singled, allowing Kawka to score closing the gap to 4-3. Despite the surge, the Lakers could not muster any additional offense in game one, dropping the first game 7-3.

Game two started as a pitchers duel with Dayton Elliott in the circle for the Lakers. After two scoreless innings, the Lakers finally broke through in a big way in the third. A Katrina Ramos leadoff single was followed by back-to-back doubles from Fudge and Pomele-Pen, giving the Lakers a 2-0 advantage. After a steal and an error scored Pomele-Pen, Destini Nolan hit a spinning drive to right field that slipped past the Wolves right fielder. Nolan raced around the diamond for her first home run of the season and increasing the Lakers margin to 4-0.

The Wolves struck back in the fifth inning, scoring one run, but in the bottom half of the inning Roosevelt once again found its groove. With two ducks on the pond, Anaisa Lopez drove the ball to the right field corner for a two RBI triple. Jessica Schneider followed with a triple of her own and scored on a double from Emily Zuniga. With the Lakers needing just one more run to end the game, Dvoracek entered the game to pinch hit and lined a single to right field to give the Lakers a 9-1 victory. Not to be overshadowed by the offensive burst was Elliot's win in the circle as she pitched a complete game, giving up just one run while striking out three Wolves.

GAME ONE DETAILS

W: Hope Maes (12-4)                  L: Kate Sisson (4-6)

Records: Roosevelt 12-14, 5-7 (CCAC) | Cardinal Stritch 22-6, 9-4 (CCAC)

Location: The Ballpark at Rosemont | Rosemont, Ill.

KEY STATS

• Athena Pomele-Pen was 1-for-2 with a triple & a run scored
• Brynn Dvorcek pinch hit and was 1-for-1 with the team's lone RBI
• Kirstin Fudge went 1-for-3 with a double & a run scored
• Kassie Kawka was 2-for-2 with a run scored

GAME TWO DETAILS (5 Innings)

W: Dayton Elliott (5-2)                     L: Jenny Nimtz (7-3)

Records: Roosevelt 13-14, 6-7 (CCAC) | Cardinal Stritch 22-7, 9-5 (CCAC)

Location: The Ballpark at Rosemont | Rosemont, Ill.

KEY STATS

• Dayton Elliott started and finished the game for the Lakers, allowing four hits and one run while striking out three over five innings
• Destini Nolan went 1-for-1 with a home run, one RBI, & two runs scored
• Athena Pomele-Pen was 3-for-3 with a double, one RBI, & two runs scored
• Brynn Dvorcek pinch hit and was 1-for-1 with one RBI
• Kirstin Fudge went 1-for-2 with a double, one RBI, & a run scored
• Emily Zuniga was 1-for-3 with a double, one RBI, & a run scored
• Jessica Schneider went 1-for-3 with a triple, one RBI, & a run scored

NEWS & NOTES

• Click here to view the current CCAC Conference standings

NEXT UP

The Lakers are back on the road for their next CCAC Conference doubleheader as they head to Joliet, Illinois to play St. Francis on Thursday, April 21.  First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3pm at the Harlow Lockwood Softball Fields.