Brighton, Mich - The Lawrence Technological University softball team opened up their season with two home double-headers against #19 Saint Xavier University and Oakland City University. Game one against SXU was a nail-bitter until the last inning when SXU scored the final run to win game one by a final score of 6-5 (6 innings). Game two resulted in a pitching duel as OCU would come out on top by a final score of 6-5.

Game 1 - How It Happened: SXU 6, LTU 5 (6 innings)

• In the bottom of the first inning, Callie Tatum delivered a single to left field to bring around Lauren Fife for the first run of the game.
• Reaching base on an error in the same inning was Larissa Mercado. Tatum advanced to third, and Haley Mazon scored. LTU was up 2-0 after one.
• The Cougars scored their first run after a Brittney Schultz solo shot to center field.
• With two runners on base in the second inning, Fife reached on an error to score Lily Morrissette.
• Making it 4-1 LTU, was Mazon after a sacrifice RBI bunt as Sarah Hige crossed the plate.
• SXU scored three runs in the next two innings from a Schultz RBI single to center, Sarah Bowen's fielder's choice, and Alexus Reese's RBI single. SXU was up 5-4.
• Morrissette stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning and smacked a solo homer to right field to tie the game up 5-5.
• The Cougars would score the game-winning run in the top of the sixth inning to win this game 6-5. 

Clover Brandt pitched 6.0 innings. Brandt gave up three earned runs on seven hits and struck out six batters on the afternoon.

Game 1 - By The Numbers:

• Hits: SXU 7, LTU 3
• RBI: SXU 5, LTU 3
• LOB: SXU 10, LTU 3
• Strikeouts: SXU 6, LTU 4

Game 2 - How It Happened: OCU 6, LTU 5

• LTU started the scoring in game two after an error by the defense to bring home Hige.
• The Mighty Oaks scored two runs in the second and third inning from fielding errors by the Blue Devils.
• LTU would tie things back up at two after an RBI groundout by Hige to score Gloriana Su'a.
• In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mazon scored from a Morgan James single to left field, and Su'a's fielder's choice allowed Lauren Lanphear to cross the plate.
• LTU was up 4-2 heading into the top half of the fifth inning.
• A three-run fifth inning for OCU gave them the lead back by one.
• Fife was able to sneak in a run after multiple errors by the Mighty Oaks to tie the game back up at five.
• OCU scored an RBI single in the sixth as they would win this game by a final score of 6-5.

Game 2 - By The Numbers:

• Hits: OCU 6, LTU 5
• RBI: OCU 2, LTU 2
• LOB: OCU 6, LTU 6
• Strikeouts: OCU 5, LTU 1

Grace Roeske was on the bump in game two pitching 4.2 innings. Roeske gave up three hits on five runs. She struck out four batters in the game. Brandt came in on relief and threw 2.1 innings giving up three hits and one run. 

The next Blue Devils next matchup is Friday, February 11th when they play a doubleheader against Oakland City University and #19 Saint Xavier University. The first pitch for game one will begin at 8:15 AM. Game two will begin at 12:45 PM.