Softball Earns Split With No. 12 Grand Valley State

The Northwood University softball team earned a doubleheader split at No. 12 Grand Valley State Wednesday afternoon (April 3).  The Timberwolves dropped game one 4-2 before handing the Lakers their first GLIAC loss in game two with a 9-5 win.

Northwood is now 15-12 overall, 5-3 in the GLIAC.  Grand Valley State stands at 21-3 overall, 9-1 in the GLIAC.

Game one came down to a fourth inning rally for GVSU.  With the score tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the inning, the Lakers plated three runs to make the lead 4-1.  The Timberwolves got one back in the fifth on a solo home run by junior Sam Zaborowski (Taylor, Mich./Cabrini), but got no closer.  Northwood out-hit the Lakers 6-4 in the game, but stranded nine runners in the contest. Stacey Klonowski (Canton, Mich./Plymouth) had a hit and an RBI, while Rachel Hammer (Commerce, Mich./Lakeland) added two hits for the Timberwolves.

Grand Valley State took a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning, but that is when the Timberwolves' offense got going.  Northwood plated three in the third, and two in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to open up a 9-2 lead.  The Lakers rallied back in the seventh with three runs, but Northwood held on for the win.  The Timberwolves had 12 hits and drew nine walks in the game.  Jessica Tostrud (Kenosha, Wisc./Mary D. Bradford) had three hits, two runs scored and two RBI's.  Hammer had a two-run homer and two runs scored, while Zaborowski went had three hits and an RBI as well.  Maddison Sebald (Bay City, Mich./Western) earned her eighth win of the season with a complete game effort, striking out five in the process.

Northwood will travel to Walsh for a doubleheader Saturday (April 6).  The doubleheader will get under way at 1 p.m.