PAINESVILLE, Ohio — The Lake Erie softball team completed their 2022-23 regular season with a conference doubleheader at home. The Storm hosted the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers for their senior day, and split the doubleheader 1-1. Lake Erie finishes the season with a 5-19 conference record and a 10-30 overall record.
GAME ONE
Senior Grace Hammer was on the mound for the Storm's first game. Hammer threw eight strikeouts to finish her Lake Erie pitching career. She pitched all seven innings which gave her 51 completed games to beat Lake Erie's record of 50 completed games.
The first two innings were quiet for both teams. The Panthers took over the game in the third inning, scoring seven runs. The Storm was able to score a run in the fourth from sophomore Emma Spahr's single to the left, sending senior Carly Rowland home. Kentucky Wesleyan scored another run in the fifth, which was answered by Lake Erie in the sixth with a run. Sophomore Rachel Varga singled up the middle to send pinch runner junior Jordyn Hawkins home. Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers held an 8-2 lead as the Storm was unable to tie it up.
The Storm finished with eight hits. Varga and Spahr each had two, followed by senior Dani Soria, sophomore Jasmine Gonzales, and sophomore CJ Garcia with one hit each.
GAME TWO
Rowland was the starting pitcher for the second game of the day. Rowland threw five strikeouts to finish her career at Lake Erie.
The Storm came back in the second game, taking an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. Freshman Lillian Campbell hit a hard double to left field that sent both Soria and sophomore Arianna Tammaro home. Soon after, sophomore Emma Morris reached first on an error that also sent junior Adrianna Sluga and junior Ava Scott home.
The Panthers were able to score in the third and fourth inning, bringing it to 4-2 score with Lake Erie still ahead. Spahr answered to the Panther's runs with a homer to left field. Spahr finishes the season with three home runs. Kentucky Wesleyan matched the run in the top of the fifth to make the score 5-3, but the Storm had a quick reply. Sluga hit a sacrifice fly to send pinch runner sophomore Brynn Gillen home.
The Panthers could not find an answer, as the Storm took their final game of the season with a score of 6-3.
Campbell and Rowland both recorded two hits for the game to add to the Storm's nine total.
Seniors
Senior Grace Hammer finishes her pitching career at Lake Erie with 450 strikeouts. Hammer had 62 game starts. Her 51 completed games breaks the record of 50. She won Third Team All-Conference her junior year (2022). Hammer holds the record for most strikeouts in a game, at 19 strikeouts.
Senior Dani Soria won Second Team All-Conference her sophomore year (2021). Soria finishes her career as a second base with 28 runs, 66 hits, and 15 RBIs.
Senior Carly Rowland finishes her pitching career at Lake Erie with 230 strikeouts. Rowland has had 46 career starts on the mound. She finishes third in career strikeouts for Lake Erie College.
Coaching
Head Coach Grace Jackson finishes her first season with Lake Erie with 10 collegiate wins. Coach Jackson looks to improve next season with hopeful effort for the Storm.
Season Wrap-Up
Hammer led the Storm pitching for the season with 161 strikeouts. Garcia led the team in runs with 12, while also leading in homers with three, tying with Spahr. Garcia and Tammaro both recorded 23 hits for the season. Gonzales was the leader in RBIs, finishing with 13.
Lake Erie congratulates the graduating seasons for their hard work, along with the team, coaches, and staff.
