Lakers Drop Two Tight Games At Opening Tournament

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Two more standout performances in the circle were not enough as Roosevelt dropped another two contests Sunday in Rosemont to close out the NAIA Leadoff Tournament.

In the first game of the day, the Lakers (0-4) suffered their second walk-off loss of the weekend with a 2-1 setback against Concordia (Mich.). Samantha Norman was again brilliant as the starting pitcher, scattering two hits and a run over five innings with five strikeouts as well. She was perfect the first time through the Cardinals' lineup before a bunt single with two away in the fourth ended the bid at perfection.

For the first time this season, Roosevelt held a lead when it jumped out to the 1-0 lead over Concordia. Bailee Reynolds opened the second inning with a walk and Brynn Dvoracek attempted to move her over with a bunt. Instead, the Cardinals misfired on the throw to first, allowing Dvoracek to not only reach safely, but Reynolds to try and score. The Lakers catcher was initially tagged out on the play, but was ruled safe due to fielder interference at third base.

Norman navigated out of trouble in the fifth inning to limit the damage after the bases were loaded with no one out in the frame. The Cardinals scored on a fielder's choice, but otherwise were held down with a strikeout and pop fly to right field. Kate Sisson stranded a pair of runners on second and third with no outs in the sixth then came back on to pitch the seventh as well.

The second game of the doubleheader produced Roosevelt's first RBI of the campaign as Scout Kram knocked in Reynolds for the Lakers' only run in a 4-1 loss to William Penn. Kailey Hancock took the loss in her second career start allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings before Norman worked the seventh with a pair of punchouts.

Roosevelt already trailed 4-0 when Kram scored Reynolds on a single in the fifth inning, one of just five hits on the day. Dvoracek continued her torrid start to the year offensively, going 2 for 3 against the Statesmen to bring her to an even .500 on the season. Isabella Walton also has gotten off to a strong start this season with three hits in four games this week while flashing some elite fielding skills at second base.

The Lakers will return to Rosemont on Feb. 24 for a doubleheader in the dome against Lake Forest beginning at 6 p.m.