The Lakeland softball team played host to the Hocking College Hawks today and earned a split in their doubleheader. Both games were decided late as the Lakers dropped game one 13-12 before winning game two 6-5. With the split, the Lakers record is now 4-5-1 (4-3-1). Game one was a back and forth affair. The Hawks started things off by scoring 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning on 4 hits - including two doubles. The Lakers countered in the home half of the inning scoring 2 runs of their own. One run was forced in on a bases loaded RBI walk from Mia Cipriano and then later on a passed ball. Hocking scored 2 more runs to take a 6-2 lead in the top of the 3rd inning as the Lakers committed a couple of errors. Lakeland stormed back and took the lead in the home half of the 3rd as they scored 5 runs to take a 7-6 lead. Key to the inning were singles by Tatianna Matuz, Bailey Cravens, Cipriano, Gina Grandini, and Lindsey Fertgus. The Hawks countered by scoring 2 in the 4th to regain the lead at 8-7 before Lakeland's Mia Cipriano homered to knot the score at 8 in the home half of the 4th inning. Hocking College took the lead again in the top of the 5th by scoring a run on a passed ball. Lakeland again tied the score at 9 after a Matuz double and a Cravens RBI single. The Hawks pushed a run across in the top of the 6th when they strung together 3 hits and then 3 more runs in the top of the 7th to take a 13-9 lead. In the bottom of the 7th with one out, Casey McHugh singled. Megan Wallace followed that with a walk and then Tatianna Matuz unloaded a monster 3-run home run to cut the deficit to 1 at 13-12. With 2 outs, Mia Cipriano again stepped to the plate and doubled. Unfortunately for the Lakers, she was stranded there to end the game. In total, the Lakers recorded 16 hits. Casey McHugh, Tatiana Matuz, and Mia Cipriano each had 3 hits in the opener. Bailey Cravens started and pitched 3 innings allowing 6 runs (4 earned) while striking out 2 batters. Georgia Briggs followed and allowed 4 earned runs in 2 innings. Megan Wallace was the hard luck loser pitching 2 innings and allowing 3 earned runs.

Game two was another thriller.  This time the Lakers scored 3 runs in the 5th inning to take a commanding 5-1 lead. The runs were scored on another Matuz home run after a Lindsey Fergus walk. The 3rd run of the inning was scored when Madison Tatka hit an RBI double after consecutive singles by Bailey Cravens and Mia Cipriano. The Lakers could not close the game out though as the Hawks roared back to tie it at 5 going into the bottom of the 7th inning. Hocking College then made a crucial mistake as they decided to pitch to Mia Cipriano to lead off the inning. Cipriano, who had been hot with the bat all day, ripped the game-winning walk-off home run. Megan Wallace pitched a complete game for the Lakers allowing 5 runs (3 earned) while striking out 2 batters.

Morganti Mentions: "We had many chances to win the first game - just couldn't get it down. That was a tough one. I was pleased with how our team responded in game two. We hit the ball hard, played better defense, and Mia got the big hit at the end - nice job."

Next Up: The Lakers will pay a visit to Hocking College tomorrow to face the same Hawks in a 1:00 pm doubleheader.