PAINESVILLE, Ohio - As the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Softball season inches closer to its end, the Lake Erie College softball team had a big opportunity to gain some ground in the standings as the Walsh Cavaliers came to Painesville for a Friday afternoon doubleheader. The Storm made the most of that chance and swept the Cavaliers on the day. The games played out as follows:

Lake Erie 9, Walsh 4

Game 1 saw the Storm's bats come alive as they drove in a season high 9 runs. Lake Erie got off to their typical fast start as Rachel Varga doubled in the first to open the game up for the Storm. In the second inning, a double from Chloe Allen and a single from Payton Brownlee would set the stage for the play of the game. After Allen would score on a Walsh error, it brought up Ava Scott with the bases loaded and just one out. She made the most of the opportunity and smashed one down the third base line and over the fence for a grand slam. Walsh would mount a comeback bid in the final innings, but it would not be enough to overcome the Storm advantage. In the pitcher's circle, Grace Hammer would earn the win for the Storm as she logged 6 strikeouts in 5 innings of work. Izzy Hoadley also pitched well in the game as she came into the game to relieve Hammer for the 6th and 7th innings. 

Lake Erie 8, Walsh 6

Game 2 saw the Storm battle the whole way in a tightly contested matchup. Walsh jumped out to an early lead, but the Storm responded well. After a Jasmine Gonzales double set up the Storm for 2 runs in the fourth, Lake Erie would have a big 5th inning  to get back into the game. The Storm would score on a double from CJ Garcia and a single from Jasmine Gonzales to start, and Ava Scott would bring the Storm within 1 via a sacrifice fly that brought in Rachel Varga from third. Now that they got the game close, the Storm would then complete the comeback bid in the 6th. A Walsh error brought in Chloe Allen and a Cheynne Hamel single brought in CJ Garcia to give the Storm a tight two run advantage entering the final frame. A clutch pitching performance from Carly Rowland and a dramatic leaping catch from Dani Soria to record the final out in the top of the 7th would lock in the doubleheader sweep for the Storm. This was their second sweep of the season, and their first in conference play. 

The Storm have another chance to make a dent in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference standings as they will host the Tiffin Dragons at home on April 16th at Noon for a doubleheader.