SB: Lasers Split Doubleheader Against Vikings

Newton, MA - Thursday afternoon, the Lasell University softball team hosted the Vikings of Salem State for a pair of non-conference matches. The Vikings would take the first game 9-2, but the Lasers would respond by capturing the second game 9-8.

Game 1

The Vikings scored early to capture a 2-0 lead before the Lasers scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the first on an error. Following this, the Vikings inserted pitcher Sula Roberge, who commanded the mound for the remainder of the game and shut the Lasers down offensively, allowing only three hits. Abigail Fortin for Lasell pitched a complete game, but the Vikings managed 14 hits and seven earned runs off Fortin, who now has a 4-7 record. Emily Rondeau had a 1-for-3 game with a single and a run scored, with Shyanne Raccio also going 1-for-3 and recording a stolen base.

Game 2

Trailing 1-0 after the top of the first inning, the Lasers used a five-run burst to take a 5-1 lead. Katie Hopkins would lead the charge with an RBI triple, and Shyanne Raccio, Adreanna Ventullo, and Alyssa DeMarest each added RBIs of their own. The second inning saw the Lasers score three more runs, two by way of error and one driven in on a Meghan Theall single to centerfield. It wouldn't be until the fifth inning that the scoring picked up again, when Salem's Allison Frost got an RBI double to bring in a lone run. After the Lasers added one more insurance run in the fifth, the Vikings tried to make things interesting with a four-run sixth, which included a two-run shot from Gianna Fowler. They would score once more in the seventh, but the Lasers' insurance run in the fifth proved crucial as they escaped with the 9-8 win. Meghan Theall went 5.1 innings, allowing five earned runs and striking out two batters, and improved her record to 3-6. Theall also went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Katie Hopkins recorded a 4-for-5 performance at the plate with two triples, three runs scored, and an RBI. 

Up Next - The Lasers will have a quick turnaround as they are set to host Anna Maria on Friday afternoon for another doubleheader.