SYLVANIA, Ohio – The Lourdes softball team (7-10, 4-4 WHAC) dropped both games of a home doubleheader to Lawrence Tech (19-7, 6-2 WHAC) on senior day, falling 3-6 in the opener and 3-11 in game two.
Lourdes showed the ability to generate offense throughout the day but were unable to capitalize fully with runners on base. Meanwhile, Lawrence Tech delivered big with runners in scoring position in crucial innings in each game.
The Gray Wolves move down one spot in the WHAC standings to 7th-place. Meanwhile, Lawrence Tech moves up a spot to 4th-place.
Game 1: L, 3-6
It was a competitive battle in game one on senior day for Lourdes, but a big five-run fourth inning from Lawrence Tech proved to be the difference in the 3-6 loss. Despite the result, the Gray Wolves showed flashes of energy and momentum throughout the game in front of a packed home crowd.
Lawrence Tech struck first in the second inning on an RBI single from Ashley Stafford, but Lourdes responded immediately. Senior catcher Maddie Darrah delivered one of the biggest early moments of the game with a high-energy RBI double, bringing in Berlynn Keller to tie the game at 1-1, and ignite the home crowd.
Maddie Darrah has had the Blue Devils' number throughout her career, hitting three of her four career home runs against Lawrence Tech. Darrah has mentioned those hits as some of her favorite collegiate softball memories.
The game remained tight until the fourth inning, when Lawrence Tech broke things open. A series of timely hits, highlighted by a three-RBI triple from Brenna Crittenden, helped Lawrence Tech put up a five-run frame and take control with a 6-1 lead.
Lourdes didn't back down, though. Sophomore outfielder Skylar Mitchell provided a spark in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run, the first of her collegiate career. The homer cut into the deficit and brought energy back into the dugout and stands.
In the circle, senior ace Mallori Bradley got the start for Lourdes, going four innings and striking out two. After the tough fourth inning, freshman Zoe Ziems came in for relief tossing three strong scoreless innings while allowing just two hits to keep Lourdes within striking distance. Ziems has had a great week, pitching 5.1 innings with only two runs and a 2.63 E.R.A. ,
The Gray Wolves began to build momentum late in the game. In the sixth inning, Ryleigh Mercer came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Darrah, making it a 6-3 game and continuing to apply pressure. Lourdes threatened to extend the rally, but Lawrence Tech was able to hold on and close it out.
Offensively, Lourdes tallied nine hits in the game, with Jessyca Smith, Skylar Mitchell, and Olivia Rompf each recording two hits, while Darrah led the way with two RBI's.
While the final score didn't go their way, Lourdes showed resilience and energy throughout, especially in key moments that kept the game within reach.
Game 2: L, 3-11
The second game of the doubleheader saw Lawrence Tech jump out early and never look back, defeating Lourdes 3-11, despite a few mid-game surges from the Gray Wolves.
Lawrence Tech wasted no time setting the tone in the top of the first inning. A pair of RBI hits, highlighted by a two-run single from Natilee Pridemore, gave the visitors an early 2-0 lead. They continued to apply pressure in the second, adding another run on an RBI single from Brenna Crittenden to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Blue Devils kept the momentum rolling in the third inning. Sarah Basket delivered an RBI triple before coming around to score on a sacrifice fly, pushing the lead to 5-0 and putting Lourdes in an early hole.
Lourdes responded in the bottom of the third with one of their strongest offensive stretches of the game. After Maddie Darrah reached and Jessyca Smith was hit by a pitch, sophomore utility player Ava Auler got the Gray Wolves on the board with an RBI single. Moments later, Skylar Mitchell came through with a clutch RBI double, cutting the deficit to 5-2 and bringing life back into the Lourdes dugout.
After a quiet fourth inning, Lawrence Tech added another run in the fifth on a solo home run from Delaney Monroe to make it 6-2. Lourdes answered once again in the bottom half, as Mitchell stayed hot at the plate with another RBI double, scoring Robyn Ryan and trimming the lead to 6-3.
Despite Lourdes' efforts to chip away, Lawrence Tech continued to capitalize offensively. An RBI single in the sixth inning made it 7-3 before the game broke open in the seventh. The Blue Devils strung together multiple hits, including a two-RBI double from Basket and a two-run home run from Zoey Markey, to extend the lead to 11-3 and put the game out of reach.
In the circle, Lourdes used a combination of Berlynn Keller, Cassi Kieper, and Zoe Ziems. Kieper provided the most length out of the bullpen, tossing four innings, while Ziems closed out the game.
Offensively, Mitchell led the way for Lourdes with a strong performance, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI's. Auler also added two hits and an RBI, while the Gray Wolves totaled seven hits as a team.
Next Up
Lourdes faces their biggest challenge of the season next as they face first-place Madonna on the road on Wednesday, April 1 at 3pm and 5pm.
