LCC softballers earn two narrow wins

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

The LCC softball team won two close games at home on Saturday, March 30, against Kalamazoo Valley Community College in their first matchup of the season.

LCC won the first game 3-2 in extra innings, and grabbed the second game 11-10.

The Stars improved their record to 15-11 on the season and 9-1 in conference play.

Freshman pitcher Kyra Shadduck pitched the whole first game and faced 30 batters in total. She struck out two and only allowed three hits.

Both teams scored two runs in the first three innings and went cold for the rest of the game until extra innings.

Freshman Abby Fichtner led the Stars batting, going three-for-four at the plate, including a home run. Freshman Malea Gardner also hit a home run for the Stars. Fichtner and Gardner combined for five of the Stars’ seven hits in the first game.

The second game was more of an offensive game.

Sophomore pitcher Madison Travis pitched for the Stars in the second game and struck out three of the 40 batters she faced.

Nobody hit a home run in this game for LCC, but despite that, they were able to score 11 runs and win the game.

Kalamazoo Valley went into the seventh inning trailing 7-5. It then took the lead, scoring five runs during the top of the inning. LCC was able to score four, taking the lead back and eventually winning the game by one run.

Gardner had an amazing game, recording five hits on five at-bats, capping off a strong offensive weekend her.

Sophomore Carly McLaren had three RBIs on two hits for LCC and sophomore teammate Jenna Morse added two RBIs.

Gardner said the expectations for the Stars were set high at the beginning of the season, and the success they have had in conference play is starting to surprise people.

“Our team, every game, has grown stronger, and I believe have shocked many expectations, considering fall ball is trial and error,” Gardner said.

The strong batting performance from the Stars is the result of drilling the fundamentals throughout the fall and winter, Gardner said.

“It allows us to make good contact while still seeing the ball better,” Gardner said. “The focus and determination from the team is putting us where we are at now.”

The Stars’ next game will be a makeup game at home against Lake Michigan College on Friday, April 5. This will start an eight-game home stretch spanning until Friday, April 12.

LCC previously beat Lake Michigan College in a pair of games on the road, and look to do the same at home.