Subscribe RSSPrint News Email News

Muskies Crush Crusaders


Athletics - posted on 4/17/2007

The Lakeland softball team maintained its spot at the top of the Northern Athletics Conference, improving to 13-1 with a pair of victories, 15-2, 9-1, over Maranatha Baptist on Tuesday, Apr. 17, in five innings each in Watertown, Wis.

The Muskies (20-6) wasted no time getting the scoring started in game one, taking advantage of walks and a fielding error to tally four runs at the top of the first inning. Junior third baseman Kourtney Peters also aided the run count with a two-RBI single to score junior shortstop Elisa Waltz and freshman center fielder Chelsea Coenen.

The squad continued to dominate on offense in the second and third innings, scoring two and three runs, respectively, before allowing the Crusaders to get one run on the board at the bottom of the third. However, Lakeland used a six-run drive in the fourth inning, benefiting from six walks and one hit by junior Sonja Barone to all but put the game out of reach.

Barone and Coenen led the Muskies at the plate, batting .500 and scoring three runs apiece while junior right fielder Rebecca Schuettpelz led the squad with four RBIs.

Freshman Sara Roberts took the win on the mound, pitching two innings and allowing one hit, while junior Jenny Zimmerman threw three innings in relief, striking out two batters and giving up four hits.

In game two, the Crusaders attempted to spark a come-back with one run at the top of the first inning, but would score no more for the rest of the game. The Muskies answered with two runs in the second inning, aided by junior first baseman Allison Lock's double and three fielding errors.

In the fourth inning, Lakeland capped off the scoring with seven runs off of five hits. Sophomore left fielder Christina Schultz got the offense started with a single, which was soon followed by an RBI double from Barone. Peters continued the squad's success at bat with a double while junior designated hitter Pam Valukas tallied a three-RBI single on an error for the team's final runs.

Freshman Cassie Felton went the distance on the mound for the Muskies, striking out two while only giving up two hits and one walk.

Lakeland will continue NAC play on Friday, Apr. 20, with a make-up doubleheader at Alverno. Game time is set for 3 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.

<< Return to News