By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Grand Rapids, MI---The No. 8 Express softball team swept Grand Rapids Community College 6-1 and 9-3 on Tuesday. Ashlyn Michalak struck out 13 while winning the first game, while Hallie Thompson and Mareshah Scott had solid days offensively.
Game 1: Owens 6 Grand Rapids 1
Michalak carried a shutout into the seventh inning, while the Express offense did their part in a 6-1 win.
The pivotal inning came in the fourth when the Express scored four runs - thanks in part to a dropped fly ball by Grand Rapids.
With two outs and nobody on, Alyssa Lassey doubled to left field prior to Olivia Reeder reaching on the dropped fly. On the play, Lassey scored to put the Express up 1-0, while Reeder moved to second. Following that, Scott walked to set up a two-run triple to centerfield by Thompson, who also scored on the play thanks to another error by GRCC.
Owens then scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to pad their lead. In the sixth, Thompson lined an RBI single to left field that scored Scott, who had singled and stole second with two outs. Then, in the seventh, Katie Butler lined an RBI single through the left side that scored Melanie Iacoangeli, who had singled to lead off the inning.
In the last half of the seventh, GRCC's Chelsea Hutchison had a two-out RBI single that spoiled Michalak's shutout.
Michalak (15-1) allowed four hits and four walks while striking out 13. Thompson finished 2-for-3 with one run, one triple and three RBIs, while Iacoangeli was 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. Scott added a 1-for-2, two run, one walk, one stolen base game.
Kayla Goodwin took the loss for GRCC. She allowed eight hits, six runs (three earned) and two walks while striking out one over seven innings. The win marked the end of a six game winning streak for Grand Rapids.
Game 2: Owens 9 Grand Rapids 3
The Express offense pounded out 13 hits and scored three runs in an inning twice while Kasey Graham picked up her seventh win of the season in a 9-3 win.
The Express jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first on a bases loaded wild pitch and a two-run error. In the inning, Jaylee Glad had a single, while Lassey and Sydney Barron were hit by a pitch.
In the second, Michelle Hollister laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Scott, who had walked and stole second to lead off the inning.
GRCC cut the Express lead to 4-1 in the third with a solo home run off Graham.
However, the Express answered right back in the next half inning with three runs to secure a 7-1 lead. Iacoangeli had an RBI groundout, Katlyn Whitmarsh drew a bases loaded walk and Barron had an RBI single.
GRCC then scored two in the bottom half of the fourth to cut the lead to four at 7-3 before Owens closed the scoring for the day with two runs in the fifth.
Scott and Kenny Craig had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before Thompson singled through the right side to score Craig. Scott later scored on a throwing error by GRCC's rightfielder to make it 9-3.
Michalak pitched the first inning in the second game and held GRCC scoreless. Graham (7-1) pitched the final six innings to earn the win. She allowed 11 hits, three runs and zero walks while striking out two.
Scott finished 2-for-3 with three runs, one walk and one stolen base, while Thompson was 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Iacoangeli added a 1-for-4, one RBI, one stolen base game.
Casey Cherry took the loss for Grand Rapids.
Notes
The Express are now 30-4 this year. They will take on Lorain County Community College at home Wednesday. The DH will be unusual in that Owens will be the home team for one game, while Lorain County will be the home team for the other game.
Grand Rapids falls to 24-15 this year.
Michalak's ERA remains at 0.91 with her eight innings of one run ball today. She has now struck out 166 batters, which is 58 short of tying the single season record held by Kelli Short.
Scott raised her average to .467 with her performance today, while Thompson is up to .355.
Iacoangeli has now stolen 48 bases this year, while Scott has 25.