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GVSU softball falls in game one of NCAA championship series; must win two for title

GVSU Athletics
·2 min read
The GVSU softball team lost in the first game of the NCAA championship series on Tuesday.
The GVSU softball team lost in the first game of the NCAA championship series on Tuesday.

The Grand Valley State softball team dropped a 7-3 decision against North Georgia in game one of the National Championship Series. The Lakers fall to 48-7 on the season.

The Lakers got off to a fast start going up 2-0 after the first half inning. Joanna Cirrincione got things started with a one-out walk. Next batter, Lydia Goble ripped a double down the left field line that scored Cirrincione and Goble would advance to third on the throw. Morgan Wagner made it 2-0 next at bat with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Goble.

North Georgia quickly responded in the bottom half of the first inning to tie the game at two. The Nighthawks notched a two-out, two-RBI single to tie the game. The Lakers answered right back in the top of the second inning to retake the lead at 3-2. Morgan Spicer led the inning off with a double to left center and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Next batter, Liberti Fair skied a ball that would fall for a hit as the North Georgia infielder lost the ball in the sun allowing Spicer to score.

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In the bottom of the third inning, North Georgia loaded the bases with no outs. Hannah Beatus retired the next three batters to keep the Lakers in the lead. North Georgia would take the lead in the fifth inning with five runs to take a 7-3 lead. The Nighthawks gained the lead on a triple and notched a two-run home run later in the inning to go up four.

The Lakers would not be able to answer and would fall in game one of the Championship Series. Game two will be tomorrow (May 31) at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM and the if necessary game three will be played after at 2:30 PM.

Lydia Goble batted 2-2 with a double, one run batted in, and a run scored. Morgan Spicer hit 2-3 with two doubles and a run scored. Joanna Cirrincione went 1-3 with a run scored, while Morgan Wagner added a run batted in. Hannah Hollister, Liberti Fair, and Megan Koenigshof each added a hit. Hannah Beatus suffered the loss (30-2) after tossing six innings allowing two earned runs off nine hits with four strikeouts.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU softball falls in game one of NCAA championship series; must win two for title