April 5, 2008

HILLSDALE - Freshman Jennie Elliott hit two home runs, and junior Katie Brandt and senior April Brandt added one homer each to lead the Lake Superior State softball team to a 7-6 victory over Hillsdale during Game 2 of Saturday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference double-header.

The Lakers (6-19 overall, 2-4 GLIAC) lost a hard-fought 4-3 decision during the opener.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning of the nightcap, LSSU scored four runs on Elliott's solo home run, a two-run double by Nikki Christensen and a one-run double by April Brandt.

April Brandt's solo home run in the bottom of the third inning made it 5-1. Hillsdale (7-17 overall, 3-5 GLIAC) scored four runs in the top of the fifth, but Katie Brandt opened the bottom half of the inning with a solo blast over the fence for a 6-5 Laker lead. Elliott made it 7-5 when she ripped her second homer of the game in the sixth.

Elliott (4-3) also pitched the final 2.2 innings to earn the win. She allowed one run on two hits and one walk. She retired the side in the sixth and stranded two runners after giving up one run in the seventh.

Christensen was the starter and gave up five runs (only four earned) on five hits, one walk and six strikeouts.

Elliott was 3-for-4 at the plate, while the Brandt sisters were both 2-for-3. Chelsea Maynard had LSSU's other hit.

Hillsdale out-hit LSSU 9-6 during Game 1. The Chargers snapped a 1-1 tie by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Lake Superior State came back with two runs in the top of the seventh. Hillsdale's Katelin Simon scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Britt Sevey.

Lakers Amber Kern and April Brandt both hit doubles, and Lacey Knoop, Nichole Dunford, Katie Brandt and Christensen added singles.

LSSU starting pitcher Stephanie Reveley pitched 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, two walks and no strikeouts. Elliott entered the game in the sixth inning and took the loss. She totaled one hit, one walk and one strikeout.

The Lakers play a twinbill at Wayne State on Sunday.