The Grand Valley State University softball team (18-18) dropped both games of its rivalry doubleheader against Ferris State University (24-16) Saturday in Big Rapids, falling 6-5 in eight innings in game one before losing 7-5 in game two, despite building early leads in both contests.
Across the doubleheader, the Lakers consistently generated offense and controlled stretches of play, but late-game rallies from Ferris State prevented GVSU from closing out either matchup.
GVSU opened game one with immediate momentum, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind timely hitting from sophomore pitcher Grace Usher and freshman infielder Kylee Hoebeke.
Ferris State answered with a solo home run in the second inning, but the Lakers continued applying pressure throughout the middle innings. In the fifth inning, junior outfielder Faith Edwards delivered one of the game’s biggest hits with a two-run single that extended the lead to 4-1 and put GVSU firmly in control.
The Bulldogs added a run in the sixth inning, but the Lakers responded again in the seventh. Usher beat out an infield single to bring home another run and stretch the lead to 5-2, leaving GVSU just three outs away from securing the win.
Ferris State responded in the bottom of the seventh inning with a three-run rally to tie the game at 5-5 before delivering a walk-off hit in the eighth inning to complete the comeback.
Game two followed a similar pattern, as Ferris State opened scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, and the Lakers responded with their most productive offensive stretch of the day in the third inning.
GVSU plated four runs in the inning, beginning with Edwards tying the game with a bases-loaded walk. Senior catcher Elizabeth Wesoloski followed with an RBI single, and additional contributions from Usher and Hoebeke pushed the Lakers ahead, 4-1.
Ferris State chipped away at the lead later in the third inning before continuing the pressure in the fourth. A solo home run and an RBI single tied the game at 4-4 and shifted momentum back to the Bulldogs.
The decisive moment came in the sixth inning when Ferris State connected on a three-run home run, taking control of the game.
GVSU attempted a late comeback in the seventh inning when junior first baseman Jenna Ballard drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, but the Lakers could not complete the rally.
“We need to finish games,” said head coach Dana Callihan. “We’re working really hard to get ahead, (but) we’re not shutting the door when we need to, and we’re still trying to figure out how we do that. We’re going to keep fighting and hopefully keep learning, and be able to start finishing some of these games that we have leads on.”
Despite the results, the Lakers showed strong offensive production throughout the doubleheader and continued to create scoring opportunities in both games.
