NEWS RELEASE
LSSU SOFTBALL CLUB
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The Lake Superior State University club softball team won one of three games during Sunday’s season-opening series against Ferris State.
The Lakers slugged their way to a 13-6 victory in the opener before dropping the second and third games, 6-3 and 10-9, Sunday at Locey Field.
Junior Bridget Ryon (Corunna) pitched a seven-hit win with six strikeouts and five walks in the opener. Ryon, sophomore infielder Bree McFarlane (Midland), sophomore Alayna Schulte (Hudsonville) and senior Cierra Ouradnik (Harris) all had two hits each, and junior infielder Rhyen Olson (East Jordan) was 1-for-2 with a double in the win.
Freshman pitcher Riley Zbacnik (Boyne Falls) pitched an impressive six-hitter with three strikeouts and two walks during Game 2. She allowed only one earned run. Schulte and Ryon combined to allow nine hits and six earned runs during the final game. LSSU led 7-3 early in Game 3, but the Bulldogs chipped away at the lead and scored three unearned runs in the seventh inning to claim the win.
Schulte, Olson and Ryon were 5-for-10 at the plate to lead LSSU for the day. Ouradnik was 4-for-9, and senior shortstop Claire Adkinson (Carson City) and McFarlane were 4-for-10. Schulte scored six runs, stole two bases, had two walks, two triples, a double and three RBIs. Ryon compiled five RBIs.
“This team formed three weeks ago and has gelled quickly,” LSSU coach Linda Bouvet said. “Our pitchers kept us in every game, and that position was a complete unknown going into the season. We have solid players at every position and several outstanding hitters. Now it’s just a matter of the weather holding so we can work on a few things on the field.”
The Lakers, competing in the newly-formed NCSA Division 2, play Sunday at Saginaw Valley State. LSSU’s roster also includes senior Kass Bell (Standish), freshman Addie Chwalek (Grand Rapids), senior Delaney Goodell (Millington), sophomore Audrey Lipe (Flushing), junior Alex Menard (Sault Ste. Marie) and sophomore Hadyn Valadez (Portage).
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