The Lakeland softball team traveled to Piqua, OH today to face OCCAC opponent Edison State. Edison State is currently receiving votes as one of the top 25 teams in the country. The Lakers ran into buzzsaw against the Chargers as they dropped both ends of the doubleheader by the scores of 6-1 and 20-0. In game 1, Leah Richter pitched a great game before falling into some tough luck. The Chargers took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning by stringing a couple of hits together. Richter stiffened and the Lakers played good defense as the score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the 5th inning. The Chargers then took advantage of 2 Laker errors to score 3 unearned runs giving the Chargers a 4-0 advantage. In the top of the 6th inning the Lakers pushed across a run to make the score 4-1. Carmen Alvarez would hit a leadoff single and advance to 2nd on a Sydney Plotts fielder's choice. Alvarez would later score on a Morgan Gross grounder that could not be handled by the Chargers defense. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they would not threaten again as they dropped game 1. 

Offensively Morgan Gross and Carmen Alvarez picked up the Lakers only 2 hits. Leah Richter took the tough-luck loss on the mound pitching a complete game and allowing 6 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits.

In game 2, the Lakers fell into a hole early on as the Chargers used timely hits and Lakeland errors to their advantage. That would be the mantra throughout the game as the Lakers sruggled defensively at key times. Lauryn Hawkins recorded the only hit in the Lakers defeat. Madison Ciammaichella started and took the loss on the mound for the Lakers allowing 5 runs (1 earned). Abby Schneider relieved and allowed 12 runs (4 earned) before Richter came in and closed out the game pitching 2 more innings and allowing 5 runs (1 earned).

Next Up: The Lakers play host to OCCAC foe Terra State on Saturday (4/26). First pitch is scheduld for 1:00 pm.