MIDLAND, Mich. — The Lake Erie softball team kicked off conference play this afternoon with a doubleheader against the Northwood University Timberwolves, coming up just short in both contests to open league play. The Storm showed resilience throughout the day and competed in key moments, but Northwood was able to edge out the results in each game.

GAME 1
LEC - 1
NU - 9
5 innings

Storm pitching started strong in game one. Through the first three innings, Addison Nugent held the Timberwolves to just one hit and one run.

In the top of the fourth, Kaitlyn Hendrian tied the game up with an RBI single to right-center field, scoring Lily Turkowski. 

Northwood broke the tie with a three-run fourth and added five more in the fifth to seal the victory.

In the game, Samantha Lippiatt and Allie Jackson each added a hit, anchoring the bottom of the lineup effectively.

GAME 2
LEC - 0
NU - 8
5 innings

The offense struggled in game two. The Storm recorded one base runner in the contest when Peyton Powers singled to right in the fourth inning and she would manage to reach scoring position later on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Miller.

Northwood scored first with a run in the bottom of the first and extended the lead to 4-0 with a three-run second inning. Storm pitching held them scoreless in the third but they tacked on one more in the fourth and three more in the fifth to finish the game 8-0.

Looking Ahead
Lake Erie will be back in action tomorrow on the road against the Hillsdale Chargers. Game one is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.