Dvoracek Sisters Power Lakers Past Trolls

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Brynn and Ella Dvoracek drove in all of Roosevelt's runs as the Lakers stayed alive in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3-1 win over Trinity Christian on Friday in Crown Point, Ind.

The third-seeded Lakers found themselves in an early hole against the sixth-seeded Trolls courtesy of an unearned run in the first inning. After that point, Samantha Norman was in full control in the circle, throwing a complete game while allowing just five hits and striking out four. The only other trouble she faced came in the fourth inning when a second Roosevelt error put runners on the corners with two outs, but Norman induced a pop fly to end the frame.

Roosevelt had a wild second inning with the Dvoracek sisters in the middle of the action from the outset. Brynn Dvoracek doubled with one out in the inning, but was later called out on runner's interference, causing some confusion that the inning might have ended. Instead, the Lakers loaded the bases with an Isabella Walton single and Caitlin Williams walk to bring up Ella Dvoracek to the plate. The younger Dvoracek ripped a single into left field, scoring two runs to give Roosevelt the lead.

In the next inning, Anaisa Lozada smoked a two-out double into left field and Brynn Dvoracek followed with an RBI single before being thrown out trying to take second base. That proved to be the last hit of the game for the Lakers, but it didn't matter with Norman cruising in the circle.

Some 18 hours after throwing nearly 150 pitches in almost 11 innings, Norman was back in the circle and dominating for Roosevelt. The Trolls only run came when the leadoff batter reached on an error then was driven in by a sacrifice fly. Norman set down Trinity Christian in order in the second, forced a double play to end the third then gave up just one hit in the final three innings.

Roosevelt was scheduled to play a second elimination game Friday, but St. Francis had already played two games and NAIA rules dictate it couldn't play a third. Instead, that contest was moved to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and should the Lakers win, it would face a rematch against Olivet Nazarene for a spot in the championship game.

Details about potential championship games will be determined based on which team emerges to face Saint Xavier. Whoever comes out of the loser's bracket would have to beat the Cougars twice to win the tournament, so either Roosevelt winning two games Saturday would likely force the tournament to be extended in order to not allow any team to potentially play four games in one day.