GVSU sweeps LSSU to extend win streak to 12 games

ALLENDALE - Junior infielder Lacey Knoop went 5-for-9 at the plate to lead the Lake Superior State softball team, which lost both games of Saturday's non-conference softball double-header at Grand Valley State, 4-2 and 6-3.

GVSU (17-5) extended its win streak to 12 games, while LSSU fell to 6-17.

Nichole Dunford and Lorrie Chaperon were 2-for-3, and Knoop and Amber Kern had one hit each in Game 1. One of Dunford's hits was a two-run homer in the first inning, but GVSU answered with one run in bottom half of the first inning and added three unearned runs in the second.

LSSU pitcher Nikki Christensen (4-8) allowed only one earned run in the contest. She had two strikeouts and no walks, while giving up eight hits. GVSU's Lori Andjelich (10-3) also had two strikeouts and no walks.

Knoop, who played shortstop in the first game and right field in the nightcap, was 4-for-4 in Game 2. Helena Zandarski and Samantha Klinkner had two hits each, and Chaperon, Kern and Chelsea  Maynard added one each for the Lakers, who out-hit GVSU, 11-7.

Grand Valley State once again rallied back from a 2-0 first-inning deficit with three runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the fifth.

LSSU pitcher Nicole Carstensen suffered the loss in her first collegiate start on the mound. She was relieved by Jillian Willette with two outs in the first inning. Both pitchers allowed three runs. Willette also had three strikeouts and one walk.

Lauren Rohan (5-1) picked up the win for GVSU. She was relieved in the seventh inning by Andjelich.

Lake Superior State plays at Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday.