Lakers' softball claims 5th league crown in past 6 seasons

Wed, May 21, 2008

For the fifth time in six seasons, Spring Lake's varsity softball team can call itself conference champions.

The Lakers swept Fremont Tuesday, winning 5-2 and 15-2, to finish with a 13-1 mark in the Lakes Eight Conference, wrapping up the league title for the second straight year.

"We're not great in any one category, but we're very good in everything," said Core, whose team is one win shy of a school record with a 25-6 mark. "We have very good pitching, defense and hitting. We have a nice balance. It's been a lot of fun."

A pleasant surprise has been the play of sophomore Taylor Keyser, who upped her individual record to 15-2 after earning the win in the opener. She allowed six hits while striking out nine and walking one.

Keyser, Chelsea Boyer, Tiffany Holmes and Hannah Bernard each had RBIs for the Lakers, while Keyser, Boyer and Bernard each finished with two hits.

In Game 2, Bernard earned the win, striking out eight, walking one and allowing four hits.

Holmes had three hits for the Lakers, who took control early with a seven-run first inning. Briana Brackett had two hits, and Jacque Garrison added two RBIs.

The Lakers look to set a new school record for wins in a season Thursday as they host Reeths-Puffer in their final scheduled regular-season games. Core said he's trying to add another contest for next week as a warm-up to the Division 2 district tournament on May 31.

JUNIOR VARSITY: The Lakers (16-8 overall, 7-5 Lakes Eight) swept Fremont Tuesday, 9-6 and 12-2. Rachel Adams was a home run short of a cycle during the two wins, while Micanna Pelkey and Kaylee Tuin each had a triple, single and RBI.

FRUITPORT SWEPT

Fruitport ran into a Newaygo squad Tuesday that Trojans' coach Bob Dorman called "a great hitting team one through nine."

The Lions proved the compliment to be true, as they swept the Trojans, 10-5 and 17-10.

Newaygo pounded out 14 hits in the opener, but Fruitport was plagued by giving away too many outs in the loss. Whitney Stratton and Alyssa Lander provided the offensive punch for the Trojans, as both tallied two hits.

Kirstin Hughes took the loss on the mound for Fruitport.

Trojans' pitcher Jessica Slocum couldn't slow down Newaygo in the nightcap, as she allowed nine hits and 11 runs in the loss.

Fruitport looked like it was ready to contend in the second inning after a 2-run home run from Hughes, but it couldn't slow down the Lions. Hughes finished 3-for-4, while Slocum was 3-for-5, with three singles and an RBI.

Fruitport plays its third different opponent in as many days tonight, as it travels to Mona Shores.

GH NO-HIT BY SHORES

Mona Shores' pitcher Megan Decker threw a no-hitter against the Grand Haven softball team Tuesday, as the Sailors cruised to a 10-0 victory.

The contest was called after five innings due to the mercy rule.

Chelsea Meloche pitched the first two innings for Grand Haven and was relieved by Shelley Bultje.