Kissimmee, Fla. – The Lawrence Technological University softball team trailed 2-0 after three and a half innings to Dordt University (IA) before cutting the lead in half in the bottom of the frame. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils were unable to get the score back to even as they fell 3-1 to the Defenders on Friday afternoon.

How It Happened:

• Both teams left a runner on base in each of the first two innings of play.
• After reaching on an error to begin the third, a Dordt baserunner got a little too greedy on a sacrifice bunt as she was gunned down at third base when Sarah Hige threw it across the diamond to the catcher, Morgan James, who tagged her out to complete the double play.
• The Defenders got their leadoff runner on for the fourth straight inning as they started the frame with a double down the right-field line.
• After a wild pitch advanced that runner to third, a walk and a defensive indifference put both runners in scoring position with nobody out.
• The next Dordt hitter ripped a single down the left-field line to plate the first two runs of the game.
• Grace Roeske recovered to retire the next batter before Clover Brandt came on to limit the damage to just two for LTU.
• With one out in the bottom half of the inning, Hige singled off the pitcher's glove before advancing to second on a wild pitch to give LTU an opportunity to answer right back.
• Gloria Su'a stepped into the batter's box next and sent a ball right back up the middle that was misplayed by the center fielder to allow Hige to come in from second to cut the margin in half at 2-1.
• A leadoff single followed by a sacrifice bunt gave Dordt a runner in scoring position in the sixth. A wild pitch moved the runner 60 feet closer and two batters later, a sacrifice fly to left brought the Defender home to push the advantage back to two at 3-1.
• A Lily Morrissette single up the middle followed by a Hige walk set the table for LTU in the bottom of the frame but a foul pop out, strikeout, and a groundout to second left them stranded as the game headed to the seventh
• Brandt retired the Defenders in order in the top half but Dordt's third pitcher of the game struck out the side to hold off the Blue Devils for a 3-1 victory.

Inside the Numbers;

• Roeske started in the circle for LTU, throwing 3 1/3 innings of five-hit ball, allowing two runs while walking one and fanning three.
• Brandt went the rest of the way as she scattered three hits while surrendering just one run.
• The Blue Devils defense made several timely plays as the Defenders left 10 runners on base.
• Hige was the only LTU hitter to reach base safely twice as she went 1-for-2 with a walk and run scored.

Lawrence Tech concludes its spring break trip tomorrow, Friday the 12^h, with one more doubleheader, beginning at 9:15 am versus #16 Marian (Ind.) before squaring off with Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) at 11:30 a.m.