In any sport, there are games that go your way and games that do the opposite.

On Tuesday, the Grand Valley State University varsity softball team traveled to Midland, Mich., and split a doubleheader against Northwood University, winning the first game handily before falling in the second.

“The first game was great,” said GVSU coach Doug Woods, who recorded his 799th-career win in the first game. “I saw a lot of things that I liked. In the second game, we had a shot, but we didn’t pitch very well and that was our demise. We just kept swinging and didn’t give up, but it wasn’t enough.”

During the first game, the Lakers (31-9, 14-6 GLIAC) scored four runs in the top of the second to gain an early lead over Northwood (13-19, 10-10 GLIAC), who trailed for the duration of the game. GVSU pitcher Andrea Nicholson had a strong start, not allowing any runs or walks in the 4-0 victory.

“The first game was very cleanly played,” Nicholson said. “It was the kind of game that you like to see. The second game was more difficult, but it did show that we don’t give up, even when we’re behind.”

In game two, Northwood scored two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Lakers tied it up shortly after. Northwood continued their strong offensive play, and while the Lakers scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth, it was not enough to halt Northwood and the Lakers dopped the 14-11 decision.

“We hit the ball well and got a lot of runs, but we just didn’t keep up on the defensive end,” said Katie Martin, who hit two home runs during the game. “When that happens, there’s only so much you can do to win.”

This weekend will bring three big softball days with three GLIAC double-headers for the Lakers, a challenge that the team is ready to rise to, despite the tiring pace.

“It is somewhat mentally exhausting to keep up both softball and schoolwork,” Martin said. “We get tired, but it’s the sport that we love, that’s why we’re out there every day.”

The team will play Ohio Dominican University on Friday, Ashland University on Saturday and will cap off the weekend with Lake Erie College on Sunday. While the Lakers currently sit first in the GLIAC, Ashland is enters Saturday’s game in second with Ohio Dominican is third (12-6) with only a small margin separating the three schools.

The Lakers are fully aware of the challenges to come, but the team is confident that they will be able to perform to the best of their ability and put on a good final stand at home for their fans.

“Looking at the conference standings, these games are going to be big,” Nicholson said. “We just have to focus on what we always do: hitting and playing well. If we can do that, we will do well.”

assistantsports@

lanthorn.com