The Cleveland State Cougars (0-0, 5-2) hosted the Lake Land College Lakers in their home opener on Friday, February 24 and split the doubleheader winning the first game 6-2 while losing the second game 11-0.
In game one Shiann Stockwell went the distance yielding one earned run and striking out four in moving her 2018 record to 4-0. Lake Land took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd inning only to see Macy Bryant hit a 2- run homer in the bottom of the 4th over the centerfield fence putting the Cougars ahead. The lead was short-lived as the Lakers answered in the top of the 5th scoring an unearned run to tie the game.
In the bottom of the 5th Bryant struck again driving in two more runs with a bases loaded, two out, full count single to left field giving Cleveland State a lead they would never relinquish. The Cougars added two more runs in the bottom of the 6th on RBI singles by shortstop Bre Dunsmore and second base player Sadie Coons. It was the second hit for both Dunsmore and Coons as Cougar softball collected 10 hits on the game.
Hailey Galvan, Bryant and Baylee Woods each also had two hits. While third base player Grayson Brown was also on base twice, working Laker pitching for two walks.
Game two in what can be termed as forgettable, saw Lake Land score multiple runs in the 1st, 2nd, and 5th inning while the Cougars only answer was four singles, one each by Galvan, Rachel Pierce, Brown and Bekah Copas. Starting pitcher Bekah Copas in her two innings of work saw her season record slip to 1-2. On the pitching mound, Copas was followed by Kirby Webb who pitched two innings, giving up only one run and Kaitlyn Pickens who pitched the 5th and final inning.
Cleveland State looks to rebound on Tuesday, February 27 when they travel to Boaz Alabama when the take on Snead State in a doubleheader contest. The first game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. EST.