2013 Lakeland Community College Softball Team
Back Row (L-R): Assistant Coach Jeff Loga, Chantel Smithberger, Amanda Walsh, Aubrey Szalay, Morgan Redmond, Shayla Purnell, Alyssa Woltman, Kara Fitzgerald, Skylar Lund, Head Coach Judy Sargent
Front Row (L-R): Assistant Coach Frank Caraballo, Alex Ungrady, Ashley Alnadi, Katie Payne, Randi Woodworth, Kelsey Ott, Rachel Martin, Melissa Algeri
| SOFTBALL - Where are they now? |
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Megan Passwaiter - Ursuline (Ohio) College - NCAA Div. II |
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 May 21, 2013 | Three Lakers Earn Regional Accolades
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Three members of the Lakeland softball team earned regional honors after helping the Lakers finish one win away shy of a regional tournament championship appearance. Kara Fitzgerald was named to the All-Tournament Team following the Region 12, District H tournament while Skylar Lund and Chantel Smithberger were selected to the All-Region team.
Fitzgerald helped the Lakers survive an elimination game with a complete-game victory in extra innings against Macomb Community College in day two of tournament play. The sophomore right hander scattered six hits in nine innings of work en route to the win. The Willowick, Ohio native was Lakeland’s only all-tournament selection.
Smithberger and Lund were key contributors to one of the strongest offensive teams in the nation. Lakeland hit 48 homeruns in 40 games, good for 10th in the nation. By comparison, Lakeland played at least six fewer games than all other teams in the top-10 and at least five fewer games than all others in the top-15. Smithberger led the team with 11 homers and 39 RBI while Lund posted a team-best .412 average.
The duo marks the second pair of Lakers to earn all-region honors in the same season dating back to 2008. In 2011, Leah Loga and Megan Passwaiter each garnered a selection after helping Lakeland to a shared conference title.
Links: All-Region Team | All-Tournament Team
May 9, 2013 | Loss to Oakland Marks End of Lakeland’s Season
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – After fighting off elimination two times on Thursday, Lakeland’s run came to an end in the day’s final game. Oakland CC turned a 2-0 deficit into an eight run lead thanks to a 10-run fourth inning before adding three more in the bottom of the fifth to end the game at 13-4. The Lakers finish the season 22-18, toppling the 20-win plateau for the fourth time in the last five seasons and ending the season winning eight of their final 11 games.
Skylar Lund scored once and drove in a run with a double to pace the Lakeland offense. Aubrey Szalay and Alyssa Woltman each doubled and scored a run in defeat.
Morgan Redmond suffered the loss in the circle, ending an impressive freshman campaign with a 14-7 record.
Box Score
May 9, 2013 | Survive and Advance: Fitzgerald Fires Lakeland Past Macomb
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Lakeland benefitted from a stellar pitching performance to stave off elimination for the second game in a row. One game after Morgan Redmond’s complete-game shutout, Kara Fitzgerald went nine strong innings in a 2-1 victory over Macomb. The sophomore right-hander scattered six hits and struck out three to earn her seventh win of the season.
Both sides scored a run in the opening inning before going scoreless over the next eight. In the top of the ninth, the Lakers took the lead for good with a single run and Fitzgerald shut the door in the bottom half of the inning to inch LCC closer to a Region 12 Tournament title game appearance.
Aubrey Szalay and Skylar Lund each drove in a run while Rachel Martin and Shayla Purnell scored for Lakeland.
Box Score
May 9, 2013 | Lakers Edge Delta College, Survive First Elimination Game
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Lakeland softball survived the first of three straight elimination games on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Delta College in the District H/Region 12 Tournament. The Lakers can ill afford another loss after dropping the tournament opener to Oakland CC on Wednesday.
Freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond was instrumental in the victory, shutting out Delta over seven scoreless innings. Redmond struck out ten and scattered seven hits en route to the victory, her 14th of the season. Randi Woodworth posted the game-winning RBI and Aubrey Szalay scored Lakeland’s only run to key the win. Chantel Smithberger’s double accounted for LCC’s only hit of the day.
Box Score
 May 7, 2013 | Softball Places Three on All-Conference Team
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Three members of the Lakeland softball team were named to the All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) team after helping the Lakers to a third place finish and regional tournament berth in 2013. Sophomores Alyssa Woltman and Skylar Lund as well as freshman Chantel Smithberger earned recognition following Lakeland’s regular-season finale at Owens.
Smithberger hit .419 in conference play with 10 RBI, eight runs, and a pair of home runs. The Madison, Ohio native hit .390 on the season with a team-best 37 RBI and 11 home runs. Entering regional play, the newcomer ranks 22nd nationally and is tied for second regionally in homers.
Lund finished third in the conference in average, hitting .444 in league play with seven runs, seven RBI, and four doubles. The Quincy, Washington native finished the regular-season with a team-best .451 average including 35 RBI, 25 runs, and seven homers in her inaugural season with Lakeland.
Woltman contributed nine runs, four doubles, a triple, and a home run in 12 conference games. The Painesville, Ohio native spent the majority of the season as the lead-off hitter where she batted .298 with 30 runs and seven stolen bases.
The trio helped Lakeland softball topple the 20-win plateau for the third time in the past four years.
May 8, 2013 | Errors Plague Softball in Regional Loss to Oakland CC
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Lakeland broke open a scoreless game with a run in the top of the sixth but allowed Oakland to score three unearned runs in the bottom half of the inning en route to a 3-1 loss in the opening round of the District H/Region 12 Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. By opening the tournament with a loss, the Lakers will have to fight off elimination the rest of the way and are forced to win three games on Thursday to stay alive. LCC will open the day against Delta College at noon.
Lakeland manufactured its only run of the game with timely hitting and aggressive base running. Alex Ungrady returned from injury to open the inning with an infield single and was substituted for Melissa Algeri. After Alyssa Woltman successfully sacrificed Algeri to second, Rachel Martin moved her over to third with a groundout to second base.
All-conference catcher Chantel Smithberger delivered the first RBI of the afternoon with a single to center field, giving the visitors a brief 1-0 lead.
Oakland would respond quickly, though, behind a trio of unearned runs. The Lakers, who recorded just four hits on the day, were unable to pull even in their final at-bats of the day.
Kara Fitzgerald suffered the loss in the circle without surrendering an earned run. The sophomore right-hander struck out four and scattered nine hits in a complete-game effort.
Box Score
April 3, 2013 | Lakers Play Spoiler at Owens in Regular-Season Finale
PERRYSBURG, Ohio – The visiting Lakeland softball team ended Owens’ hopes of a shared OCCAC title on Friday afternoon by taking game two in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Express needed a sweep to claim a conference co-championship alongside Cuyahoga, but were denied the chance after the Lakers pulled out a victory in game two. The two teams, along with the conference-champion Challengers, will begin District H/Region XII Tournament play on Wednesday, May 8.
Lakeland (20-16, 7-5 OCCAC) will matchup with Oakland CC beginning at 4:00 p.m. for the right to take on No. 2 overall seed Mott CC later in the day. The loser will have to survive an elimination game on Thursday at noon.
 Game One - Lakeland 2, Owens Community College 5
Aubrey Szalay and Skylar Lund helped Lakeland take an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with run-scoring base hits before being shut out the rest of the way. Alyssa Woltman and Rachel Martin led off the game with back-to-back base hits to apply the early pressure. Szalay slapped a single to centerfield to score Woltman and Lund followed with an RBI double to stretch the lead.
Owens cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the second and pulled level with another run in the fourth. A sacrifice bunt helped the Express score the eventual game-winner in the bottom of the fifth before scoring a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.
Kara Fitzgerald (6-9) suffered the loss in the circle for Lakeland.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 9, Owens Community College 8
The Lakers scored six runs in the second inning and freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond laced an RBI single in the top of the sixth to drive in the eventual game-winning run as Lakeland drew even on the day and the season series with the Express.
Aubrey Szalay was perfect at the plate, going 5-for-5 with two runs and an RBI in the victory. Chantel Smithberger added four hits and a run scored while Randi Woodworth added a team-best two RBI.
Redmond improved to 13-6 on the year with her second victory over the Express this season. Her only hit of the day scored Skylar Lund from second to give Lakeland a 9-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth. The RBI would prove to be crucial as Owens scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull within a run but could not pull even run down the stretch.
Box Score
April 28, 2013 | Alnadi’s Walk-Off Caps Sweep of OSU-Newark
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Freshman outfielder Ashley Alnadi (pictured) drilled a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Lakeland over visiting OSU-Newark, 4-3, in game two of a non-conference double-header Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day the Lakers, winners of four straight and eight of their last ten, put together 15 hits in a 13-5 victory to take game one.
Game One – Lakeland 13, OSU-Newark 5 (6 Innings)
Freshman catcher Rachel Martin drove in a career-high four runs while sophomore Alyssa Woltman drove in three, scored three runs, and came within a double of hitting for the cycle. Classmates Randi Woodworth and Kara Fitzgerald added three RBI and three runs, respectively.
Fitzgerald also earned the win in the circle, improving to 6-8 on the year.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 4, OSU-Newark 3
With one out in the bottom of the seventh and the game knotted at three, Alnadi took the first pitch she saw over the centerfield fence to cap a late rally and move Lakeland to 18-15 overall. Trailing by a run with two innings to play, the Lakers pulled level in the bottom of the sixth before Alnadi’s first career big fly put the finishing touches on the comeback.
Skylar Lund helped the cause with two hits and two RBI. Freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond improved to 12-6 with the win, striking out eight in seven innings of work.
Box Score
April 26, 2013 | Softball Splits with Nationally-Ranked Mercyhurst North East
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland and No. 15 Mercyhurst North East each took a game on Friday afternoon, with the visitors rallying in the seventh inning for a 6-5 victory in game one before the hosts responded with an 8-3 win in the nightcap. The Lakers (15-15) have handed the Saints (36-10) three of their ten losses on the season including an 18-8 drubbing one week ago.
 Lakeland is the only team in the nation to beat Mercyhurst North East three times this season. The Lakers averaged just over ten runs in four games against the Saints, who are allowing an average of four runs per game on the year.
Game One – Lakeland 5, Mercyhurst North East 6
Trailing by two and down to their final out, the Saints’ Ronette Claar delivered the biggest hit of the day with a three-run homerun to turn a two run deficit into a one run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Lakers were unable to find the tying run, going down in order to end the game.
Chantel Smithberger hit her team-leading tenth homerun of the year while Skylar Lund’s three run shot gave Lakeland a 4-1 lead through four innings of play. Mercyhurst tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth before Smithberger went yard in the bottom of the sixth to double the Lakers’ advantage.
Kara Fitzgerald went seven innings and struck out two in the loss.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 8, Mercyhurst North East 3
Morgan Redmond stymied the Saints offense for the second straight outing, allowing three runs and striking out four to improve to 10-6 on the year. Redmond is the only pitcher in the country to defeat the Saints twice this season.
Alyssa Woltman, Skylar Lund, and Chantel Smithberger each drove in two runs to pace the offense. Woltman and Aubrey Szalay combined for four runs for the Lakers, who host OSU-Newark on Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.
Box Score
April 21, 2013 | Lakeland, Sinclair Play Even Series in OCCAC Twinbill
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Visiting Sinclair Community College stymied the Lakeland offense in a 4-1 victory in game one before Lakeland responded with 4-1 win in game two behind a solid pitching performance from freshman Morgan Redmond. Lakeland remains at the .500 mark with a 14-14 overall record and moves to 4-6 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play with one series remaining.
The Lakers travel to Owens Community College on Wednesday (April 24) at 3:30 p.m. to take on the Express in their conference finale.
Game One – Lakeland 1, Sinclair Community College 4
Chantel Smithberger drove in Alyssa Woltman in the bottom of the third inning to record Lakeland’s only run of the game. Sinclair spoiled a career day for sophomore pitcher Kara Fitzgerald, who struck out eight batters in a complete-game effort.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 4, Sinclair Community College 1
Skylar Lund went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI to lift the Lakers in game two. Chantel Smithberger and Aubrey Szalay each doubled in a run before scoring themselves in a pivotal three-run third inning for the hosts. Lakeland tacked on one more in the bottom of the fifth for good measure, providing enough run support for Morgan Redmond to improve to 9-6 on the season.
The freshman southpaw allowed just one earned run and struck out a career-high 11 in seven innings of work. Redmond has earned the victory in three straight starts.
Box Score
 April 19, 2013 | Softball Routs Mercyhurst North East Behind Nine Homeruns
NORTH EAST, Pa. – Lakeland softball carried the momentum from Wednesday’s seventh inning rally at Tri-C into a pair of non-conference games at Mercyhurst North East on Thursday afternoon. The Lakers hit four homeruns in a 9-3 win in game one before going yard five times in an 18-8 victory in game two. Lakeland moves to 13-13 overall and will host Sinclair on Sunday at 1 p.m. in a conference double-header.
Game One – Lakeland 9, Mercyhurst North East 3
Sophomore pitcher Kara Fitzgerald (pictured) hurled a complete-game four hitter while Shayla Purnell homered twice in the opener.
Fitzgerald picked up her fifth win of the season with another solid outing while the heart of the batting order provided the offense.
Chantel Smithberger and Purnell each went 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Smithberger and Aubrey Szalay each homered in the victory while Skylar Lund and Alex Ungrady contributed three hits apiece.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 18, Mercyhurst North East 8
Five different players homered in game two to help freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond improve to 8-6 on the year with the win.
Freshman Rachel Martin went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a homerun while Purnell stayed hot with three more hits, three runs, two RBI and a homerun.
Redmond helped her own cause with a solid day at the plate. She finished 3-for-5 with four RBI, three runs, and a homerun while Smithberger and Szalay also went yard.
Lakeland erupted for 20 hits and used an eight-run third inning to take a commanding 10-3 lead. Mercyhurst North East tried to rally with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning but the visitors responded with three in the sixth and four of in the seventh to pull away.
The Lakers are currently ranked sixth in the nation in homeruns with 40 through 26 games. Lakeland trails Dodge City Community College by six for fifth place. Dodge City has recorded 46 but has played in 15 more games than LCC. Kirkwood Community College leads the nation with 58 in 35 games played.
Purnell and Smithberger are currently tied for the team lead with nine homeruns apiece.
Box Score
 April 18, 2013 | Late Rally Helps Lakeland Hand Tri-C First Conference Loss
PARMA, Ohio – After dropping game one 6-4 and trailing in the top of the seventh inning of game two, the Lakeland softball team scored three runs to erase a 4-2 deficit and hand host Cuyahoga Community College its first loss in the OCCAC this season. The Lakers overall record moves to 11-13 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Tri-C stalls at 17-7 overall (7-1 OCCAC).
Game One – Lakeland 4, Cuyahoga Community College 6
Chantel Smithberger went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI while sophomore Alyssa Woltman added a double and a triple in defeat. Freshman Rachel Martin chipped in two hits and a run for the Lakers.
Kara Fitzgerald (4-7) suffered the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on 12 hits in seven innings.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 5, Cuyahoga Community College 4
Trailing by two entering their final at-bats, the Lakers found a way to rally for three runs and held of the Challengers in the bottom of the seventh to squeeze out the victory.
Morgan Redmond allowed just three hits and one earned run en route to the victory, her seventh of the season.
Chantel Smithberger went 2-for-4 with a homerun, three RBI, and two runs scored to pace the offense. Alyssa Woltman and Rachel Martin once again registered a multi-hit game while freshman Shayla Purnell clubbed a two-RBI double with her only hit of the afternoon.
Lakeland returns to the field on Sunday when it plays host to Sinclair in an OCCAC double-header beginning at 1 p.m.
Box Score
April 15, 2013 | Lakers Cool Off, Get Swept by Tri-C
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Windy conditions were a major factor on Monday, as the Lakeland softball team failed to record a homerun the first time in nearly two weeks in a pair of losses to conference foe Cuyahoga. The Lakers fall to 10-12 overall and 2-4 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC).
Game One – Lakeland 1, Cuyahoga Community College 3
Morgan Redmond went the distance in the circle, scattering three hits and allowing three unearned runs in the loss. After Lakeland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead through the first inning of play, the hosts recorded three crucial errors to allow Tri-C to rally for a pair of runs in the fourth and another in the seventh for the victory.
Alyssa Woltman and Chantel Smithberger each posted two hits in the setback while Shayla Purnell drove in Lakeland’s only run.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 1, Cuyahoga Community College 6
Tri-C ran out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and held the Lakers in check the rest of the way to finish off the sweep. The Challengers added four more runs in the top of the sixth before the Lakers responded with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning to pull within five. After holding Cuyahoga in the top of the seventh, Lakeland went down in order to end the game.
Chantel Smithberger recorded two more hits including a double and an RBI in the loss. Aubrey Szalay accounted for the Lakers’ run.
Box Score
April 10, 2013 | Softball Falls in Game One, Play Halted in Third Inning of Game Two at OSU-Newark
NEWARK, Ohio – Ohio State University-Newark scored the game winning run in walk-off fashion in game one, defeating visiting Lakeland 7-6 in eight innings on Wednesday afternoon. The Lakers (10-10 overall) responded quickly in game two, jumping out to a 9-0 lead through two innings before play was stopped in the top of the third due to high winds. The game will pick up at that point when OSU-Newark visits Kirtland on Saturday, March 27 for another non-conference double-header.
Game One – Lakeland 6, Ohio State University-Newark 7 (8 Innings)
Chantel Smithberger continued her torrid hitting streak with a two-run homerun while Alyssa Woltman added two RBI herself in the setback. Katie Payne scored twice and stole a season-high three bases for Lakeland.
Morgan Redmond fell to 6-4 on the year after allowing one earned run in just over three innings of relief.
Smithberger's last four hits have been homeruns spanning the past three games. The freshman catcher has gone yard in four straight games.
Lakeland returns to action on Sunday (April 14) when it hosts Sinclair in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) action beginning at 11 a.m.
Box Score
April 5, 2013 | Lakers Hit Ten Homeruns in Sweep of Lorain County
KIRTLAND, Ohio – The Lakeland softball team homered five times in each game Friday afternoon, cruising past visiting Lorain County 14-4 in the opener and 20-0 in the nightcap to move above the .500 mark for the first time this season. The Lakers (10-9) travel to OSU-Newark on Wednesday for a non-conference double-header.
Homeruns have become a theme of late for Lakeland, which ranks in the top-10 nationally in the category. Through 19 games this season, the Lakers have gone yard 29 times. They are ranked sixth in the nation and are ahead of teams which have played as many as 43 games to date. Freshman Shayla Purnell leads the way with six on the season while three others have hit five. LCC has homered in seven consecutive games, which includes conference matchups with Sinclair and Owens.
Game One – Lakeland 14, Lorain County 4 (5 Innings)
Freshman Chantel Smithberger homered twice while Shayla Purnell, Skylar Lund, and Rachel Martin each went yard once as Lakeland stormed out to a 5-1 lead after the first inning and never looked back. Purnell went 4-for-4 on the day with four runs scored while Martin and Smithberger each drove in three.
Kara Fitzgerald (pictured) struck out three in a complete-game victory, the second in as many days for the sophomore.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 20, Lorain County 0 (5 Innings)
The hosts scored 15 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning en route to the shutout victory. Morgan Redmond scattered two hits and struck out eight to improve to 6-3 on the year.
Aubrey Szalay and Alex Ungrady hit homeruns and drove in four runs apiece while Skylar Lund scored four times in the win. Lund, Purnell, and Smithberger also went yard for Lakeland.
Smithberger has four hits over the past three games, all of which have gone for homeruns.
Box Score
April 4, 2013 | LCC Hovers Near .500 Mark After Clash with Notre Dame
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland evened its record to 8-8 with a 7-5 victory over Notre Dame College JV before dropping game two 13-4 in non-conference softball action Thursday afternoon. The Lakers (8-9, 2-2 OCCAC) host Lorain County on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. for their final double-header of the week.
Game One – Lakeland 7, Notre Dame College JV 5
Shayla Purnell hit a solo homerun, Chantel Smithberger and reigning OCCAC Player of the Week Skylar Lund each drove in two, and the Aubrey Szalay scored twice to power Lakeland in the opener.
Kara Fitzgerald, who went the distance in the circle for her third win of the season, helped her own cause with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate including a double.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 4, Notre Dame College JV 13
Despite homeruns from Szalay and Smithberger the Lakers were unable to keep pace with the Notre Dame offense in the nightcap. Szalay homered for the fourth time in her last four games while Smithberger recorded her second shot in as many days. The duo accounted for three of Lakeland’s four runs and all four RBIs in the setback.
Sophomore Alyssa Woltman accounted for the hosts other run.
Freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond fell to 5-3 overall with the loss.
Box Score
April 4, 2013 | Lund Earns First Player of the Week Honors from OCCAC
The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) has named Tony Connacher and Skylar Lund as the OCCAC Player of the Week recipients in baseball and softball, respectively.
Both players are from Lakeland Community College.
Meanwhile, Lund helped the Lakers softball team split a pair of games against Sinclair Community College last week.
Lund, who's .432 overall average has helped the Lakers to a 7-8 record, is second on the team in hitting. In those two games against Sinclair, the sophomore middle infielder went 4-for-7 at the plate, while adding three runs, one RBI, two walks and one stolen base.
The Lakers are currently 2-2 in OCCAC play. Lund is currently leading all hitters in OCCAC play alone with a .700 (7-for-10) average. She also has four runs, two doubles, three RBIs, two walks, one strikeout and one stolen base.
April 3, 2013 | Ungrady’s Walk-off Helps Lakeland Salvage Crucial Split with Owens
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Alex Ungrady’s fifth inning homerun ended a nine-game conference win streak for Owens and propelled Lakeland to a 9-1 win in game two of a critical Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) double-header Wednesday afternoon. The Express, whose last conference loss came against Lakeland on May 8, 2011, took game one 13-4 in five innings but fell victim to an offensive onslaught and a stellar pitching performance in the nightcap.
It was a historic win for Lakeland (7-8 overall, 2-2 OCCAC), which is the only school in the conference to defeat Owens since the start of the 2008 season. The Express entered the day 41-3 in league play dating back to that point, with all three losses coming to the Lakers (4-3 on 5/8/11; 4-3 on 5/4/11; 2-1 on 4/23/08). Additionally, the nine runs in game two are the most for Lakeland against Owens under ninth year head coach Judy Sargent and the only time LCC has run-ruled their conference rival.
Game One – Lakeland 4, Owens Community College 13 (5 Innings)
Freshman shortstop Aubrey Szalay homered twice while classmate Chantel Smithberger added a solo shot herself to pace the Lakeland offense. Alex Ungrady recorded the Lakers only other RBI.
Kara Fitzgerald suffered the loss in the circle, moving to 2-5 on the year.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 9, Owens Community College 1 (5 Innings)
Freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond dazzled with a complete-game three-hitter and the Lakeland offense came alive with 11 hits in 24 at-bats to run rule the Express in five innings.
Lakeland jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.
Alyssa Woltman led off the inning with a single before Aubrey Szalay connected for her third homerun of the day – this time a two-run shot to put the Lakers on the board. Three batters later Skylar Lund doubled to deep left field to score Chantel Smithberger and make it 3-0 for the home side. Sophomore third baseman Randi Woodworth capped off the inning with a two-RBI single to right field, scoring Lund and Shayla Purnell.
After holding the Express scoreless in the top of the second, the Lakers tacked on two more in the bottom half of the inning to take a 7-0 lead. Rachel Martin singled through the left side to score Ungrady from second before Woltman reached home on a throwing error to first.
Owens finally got on the board in top of the third, scoring an unearned run on a throwing error from third base to close the gap to six.
Redmond worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fourth before Lund laced a double to the centerfield wall to score Purnell and make it 8-1.
After the Express went scoreless in the top of the fifth inning Ungrady took the first pitch over the center field wall to end the game. The freshman first baseman’s first homerun of her collegiate career couldn’t have come at more opportune time.
Box Score
March 29, 2013 | Lakers Split at Sinclair in Conference Opener
DAYTON, Ohio – Lakeland softball moved to 6-7 overall and 1-1 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) after splitting a doubleheader at Sinclair in the league opener for both teams Friday afternoon. Sinclair (4-2, 1-1) will host Tri-C on Saturday while the Lakers host Owens on Wednesday in their home opener.
Game One – Lakeland 5, Sinclair Community College 4
The Lakers utilized a five-run third inning and withstood a late rally by the Tartan Pride to earn the narrow victory in game one. Sophomore Skylar Lund and freshman Chantel Smithberger each drove in a pair of runs while Kara Fitzgerald allowed just two earned runs en route to a complete-game victory.
Alyssa Woltman added two hits and a run for Lakeland.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 9, Sinclair Community College 10
Lakeland scored twice in the top of the sixth to tie the game at eight before tacking on the go-ahead run one inning later before Sinclair responded with two runs in its final at-bat to escape with a victory. The Lakers seemed positioned for the victory when they took their first lead of the game at 9-8. Down to their final three outs, the Tartan Pride managed to plate two runs to salvage a split in the first conference series as a varsity program.
Alyssa Woltman powered the offense with a pair of runs and a homerun. Smithberger (2 RBI) and Lund (2-for-2, 2 R) were sharp once again while Morgan Redmond posted another multi-hit game with two more on the afternoon.
Fitzgerald suffered the loss in the circle, dropping to 2-4 on the season.
Box Score
March 22, 2013 | Softball Splits Doubleheader at Marietta
MARIETTA, Ohio – Chantel Smithberger drove in three runs to power Lakeland to an 8-7 win over Marietta in game one before the bats cooled off in a 5-2 loss in game two.
Game One – Lakeland 8, Marietta College 7
Smithberger was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish with a pair of doubles while Alyssa Woltman and Aubrey Szalay each scored twice to raise the Lakers overall record to 5-5.
Freshman pitcher Morgan Redmond struck out four in a complete-game victory and helped her own cause with a pair of RBI and a run at the plate.
Box Score
Game Two – Lakeland 2, Marietta College 5
Shayla Purnell supplied Lakeland’s only offense of the day with a two-run homerun in the top of the sixth inning to give the Lakers a late 2-1 lead before Marietta responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning to rally for the win.
Chantel Smithberger scored the Lakers only other run while Alex Ungrady went 2-for-3 for the visitors.
Redmond moved to 4-2 on the year with the loss.
Box Score
March 18, 2013 | Softball Closes Out Spring Training with Two Wins
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Lakeland softball won two of its final three games down south, improving to 4-5 on the season in the process. The Lakers sandwiched an 8-0 loss to Brookdale CC with wins over Southwestern CC (13-6) and Mercer County (2-1).
Game One: Lakeland 13, Southwestern Community College 6
The heart of the order accounted for 10 RBI, nine hits, and six runs as the bats came alive against Southwestern on Friday morning. Chantel Smithberger, Shayla Purnell, and Skylar Lund each recorded three hits from the 3-4-5 spot while the Lakers went yard four times on the day. Alyssa Woltman, Purnell, Lund, and Morgan Redmond each homered for the visitors, who scattered 14 hits over seven innings of play.
Redmond also picked up the victory after striking out a career-high nine batters.
Box Score
Game Two: Lakeland 0, Brookdale Community College 8
Rachel Martin went 2-for-3 while Shayla Purnell and Skylar Lund added a hit apiece as Brookdale blanked Lakeland in Friday’s nightcap.
Box Score
Game Three: Lakeland 2, Mercer County Community College 1
Shayla Purnell hit a solo homerun and Randi Woodworth manufactured a run with a walk and a pair of stolen bases to ensure Lakeland would leave Myrtle Beach on a high note in the spring training finale. Purnell blasted her second homerun of the season and Alyssa Woltman drove in Woodworth to give sophomore pitcher Kara Fitzgerald all the run support she would need.
Fitzgerald allowed just one unearned run on the day, scattering eight hits and striking out one in seven innings of work.
Lakeland returns to action on Friday when it travels to Marietta, Ohio for a non-conference doubleheader against the Pioneers.
Box Score
March 14, 2013 | Lund’s Big Day Powers Softball Past NIACC
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Lakeland’s offense got things going early on Thursday with a big win over North Iowa Area CC but dropped the nightcap to John Wood CC. The Lakers record stands at 2-4 overall with two games left in spring training.
Game One: Lakeland 13, North Iowa Area CC 2
Sophomore transfer Skylar Lund hit two homeruns and drove in four runs to propel Lakeland softball to a 13-2 victory over NIACC on Thursday morning. Lakeland erupted for 17 hits – led by three apiece from Alyssa Woltman, Rachel Martin, and Chantel Smithberger.
Martin went 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI while freshman first baseman Alex Ungrady scored three times from the bottom of the order.
Morgan Redmond improved to 2-1 on the year with a complete-game victory in the circle. The freshman pitcher struck out eight while allowing just two runs in six innings of work.
Box Score
Game Two: Lakeland 5, John Wood CC 7
Rachel Martin extended her hitting streak to four games with two more against John Wood but the Lakers were unable to hold off a late rally to drop game two 7-5. The freshman Martin went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI while classmate Shayla Purnell scored twice in the loss.
Lakeland jumped out to a 5-2 lead through the first three innings, but John Wood responded with a run in fourth, two in the fifth, and two in the sixth to regain control.
Box Score
March 13, 2013 | Softball Splits Day Two of Spring Training
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – After rain caused the cancellation of Tuesday’s games, the Lakeland softball team returned to action on Wednesday with two more non-conference matchups. The Lakers defeated Glen Oaks Community College 11-3 in five innings before falling to Lackawanna College by a score of 8-0 in game two.
Game One: Lakeland 11, Glen Oaks CC 3 (5 Innings)
The Lakers picked up their first win of the 2013 season by run-ruling Glen Oaks on Wednesday morning. Alyssa Woltman led the way with a pair of hits including a homerun to go along with two RBI and two runs scored. Freshman Rachel Martin and sophomore Skylar Lund combined to drive in seven runs while Morgan Redmond was a perfect 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI for Lakeland.
Remond also went the distance in the circle en route to her first collegiate win. The freshman left-hander scattered four hits while striking out six and allowing two earned runs.
Box Score
Game Two: Lakeland 0, Lackawanna College 8 (5 Innings)
Alyssa Woltman continued her strong day with two more hits including a double against Lackawanna. Aubrey Szalay, Skylar Lund, and Rachel Martin posted the only other hits for the Lakers (1-3 overall).
Lakeland returns to the field tomorrow (March 14) for two more non-conference games against North Iowa Area CC (9 am) and John Wood CC (11 am).
Box Score
March 11, 2013 | Softball Drops Pair in First Action of 2013
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Lakeland softball nearly rallied past John Wood Community College in the season opener but came up just short, suffering a 6-5 loss on Monday morning before falling 3-0 to Delaware Tech in game two. The Lakers (0-2) return to action tomorrow (March 12) with games against Miami University – Hamilton and Southwestern CC at 9 and 11 am, respectively.
Game One: Lakeland 5, John Wood CC 6
Sophomore first baseman Amanda Walsh went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI while freshman Morgan Redmond clubbed a pinch-hit three-run homerun to power the Lakers’ offense.
Walsh put Lakeland on the board in the top of the third by driving in two to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. John Wood responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning and three in the fourth to regain the lead.
Trailing 6-2 in the top of the sixth, Redmond went yard in her first collegiate at-bat to pull the Lakers within one, but LCC was unable to plate the tying run as the rally came up just short. Sophomore Randi Woodworth added a double and a run for Lakeland.
Kara Fitzgerald took the loss in the circle after allowing six runs (four earned) and 10 hits through four innings. Redmond tossed two innings of scoreless relief.
Game Two: Lakeland 0, Delaware Tech CC – Owens 3
Sophomore Alyssa Woltman recorded the Lakers’ only hit from the leadoff spot in a three-run loss to Delaware Tech.
Morgan Redmond suffered the loss despite allowing just three runs (two earned) and four hits while striking out three in her first collegiate start.
 February 28, 2013 | Greathouse Signs with Lakeland Softball
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland softball added a fourth to next year’s recruiting class when Rachel Greathouse (Perry, Ohio) signed a letter of intent on Wednesday afternoon. Greathouse, a standout two-sport student-athlete at Perry High School, played four years of varsity softball and soccer, earning numerous academic and athletic awards along the way.
Greathouse is an honor roll student at Perry where she earned the Chagrin Valley Conference (CVC) All-Academic Award in soccer. She also garnered honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland and honorable mention All-Conference honors in both soccer and softball. She plans to major in nursing at Lakeland.
February 19, 2013 | Lakeland Softball Inks Three for 2013-14 Season
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| Lakeland softball coach Judy Sargent (standing) secured commitments from (seated left to right) Danielle Prostak, Hannah Lester, and Rebecca Svoboda on Tuesday afternoon. |
KIRTLAND, Ohio – On Tuesday afternoon, three local softball players signed a letter of intent to play at Lakeland Community College next fall. Hannah Lester and Rebecca Svoboda of Nordonia High School were joined by Riverside’s Danielle Prostak, marking the first signings of the season for head coach Judy Sargent.
Lester, a second baseman out of Northfield, Ohio, is a three year varsity player at Nordonia. “Hannah plays with tenacity and has a keen sense for the game.” said Sargent. “She possesses great footwork and a strong arm, both components for solid defense.” Lester, an honor roll student who also competes on the basketball team at Nordonia, plans to major in Physical Education.
Svoboda, a Sagamore Hills, Ohio native, is an honor roll student and school officer at Nordonia. A year-round student-athlete, she plays volleyball, basketball, and softball for the Knights. “Rebecca has a strong dedication to the game and works hard 100% of the time. She is going to be a great right fielder for us” added Sargent. Svoboda will begin pursuing an Associate of Science degree in the fall.
Painesville native Danielle Prostak is a basketball and softball player at Riverside who will pose a serious threat on the base paths next season. “Danielle is an offensive threat because of her speed, which also transitions well to her defensive game in the outfield.” Prostak, an honor roll student, plans to major in nursing at Lakeland.
July 11, 2012 | Megan Passwaiter Earns All-Conference Honors at Ursuline
PEPPER PIKE, Ohio – Former Laker Megan Passwaiter (Willowick, Ohio) was named honorable mention All-Ohio Independent Champion (OIC) in her first season with Ursuline University (NCAA Div. II).
Passwaiter played in all 39 games for the Arrows, batting .304 with 31 hits and 11 RBI. The junior catcher finished second on the team in doubles with seven and boasted a .968 fielding percentage.
May 9, 2012 | Three From Softball Earn All-Conference Honors
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia), Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame), and Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) were each named to the All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) team after guiding the Lakers over the course of the 2012 season. Puscian and Moorman earn conference recognition for the second time while Walsh, a newcomer, picked up her first selection.
Puscian, a sophomore first baseman, finished among the team leaders in nearly every offensive category. The second year player was third in hits (40) and runs (24), second in average (.360), and first in doubles (9), RBI (35), and homeruns (5). She ranked 14th in Region XII in RBI and 13th in homeruns and was named OCCAC Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season.
Moorman, a sophomore left fielder, led all Lakers in at-bats with 121. She hit .339 and finished second on the team with 41 hits and 25 runs scored. She finished the season with 11 multi-hit games, including a 3-for-4 effort with a career-high five RBIs at Notre Dame College JV in late March.
The freshman Walsh made an immediate impact on Lakeland softball. In her first collegiate season Walsh hit .464 with 52 hits and 36 runs scored, tops on the team in all three categories. She also finished second in both RBI (30) and doubles (6). She was named Lakeland’s Female Athlete of the Year at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet and will be one of the top returners in the conference next season.
May 1, 2012 | Puscian Earns Conference Player of the Week Honors
 KIRTLAND, Ohio – Sophomore first baseman Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) has been named Player of the Week by the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) for the week ending April 22.
Puscian slammed two homeruns over four conference games last week. The sophomore drove in a team-best six runs and scored three times, moving her season totals to 35 and 24, respectively.
Puscian led the team and ranks eighth in Region XII in RBIs. In her final season with the Lakers, she tallied 40 hits – which include a team-high five homeruns – for a .360 batting average. A two-year starter for Lakeland, Puscian will continue her softball career at nearby Lake Erie College (NCAA Div. II) in the fall.
April 30, 2012 | Lakeland Recognizes Student-Athletes at Year-End Banquet
As a part of the Athletic Awards Reception and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday afternoon, the following team awards were given out by Head Coach Judy Sargent.
Most Valuable Player – Diana Moorman, sophomore
Coaches Award – Ashley Puscian, sophomore
Best Defensive Player – Megan Juratovac, sophomore
Best Offensive Player – Amanda Walsh, freshman
April 27, 2012 | Lakers Draw Even with MNE in Season Finale
KIRTLAND, Ohio – The Lakeland softball team closed out the 2012 campaign with a 1-1 split against visiting Mercyhurst North East on Friday afternoon. Lakeland ends the year with an overall record of 15-23.
Game One: Lakeland 12, Mercyhurst North East 8
Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia), Megan Juratovac (Madison, Ohio / Madison), and Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield) each homered to power the Lakers in the opener. Ungrady finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, three RBI, and three runs while Puscian drove in two and scored twice. Of Lakeland’s 14 hits on the day, seven went for extra bases.
Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside), Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside), and Ungrady each recorded a double in the victory while Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) collected the win in the circle.
Game Two: Lakeland 4, Mercyhurst North East 15
Stephanie Ziegler (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) set a career high with four stolen bases in game two. The sophomore shortstop added a double and a run scored in her final game with the Lakers.
Kara Fitzgerald supplied half the offense with a pair of RBI while Alyssa Woltman and Ashley Puscian each drove in one.
Amanda Walsh finished with one hit on the afternoon, ending her season with a team-best .464 batting average.
April 26, 2012 | Nationally-Ranked Owens Too Much for Lakeland
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Nationally-ranked Owens took a pair from host Lakeland in the final conference games of the season for both teams. The Express will join Cuyahoga in the Regional Tournament beginning next week while the Lakers will host Mercyhurst North East on Friday in their final game of the 2012 campaign.
Game One: Lakeland 7, Owens 15
Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) went 1-for-2 with a homerun and three RBI to pace the Lakeland offense. Stephanie Ziegler (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) added a double and two runs while freshman Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield) connected for a two-RBI double off the left field fence.
The Lakers chased Owens’ Ashlyn Michalak after 4.1 innings of work. Michalak allowed five runs (all earned) on five hits, her first earned runs in conference play this season.
Game Two: Lakeland 0, Owens 9
Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame), Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside), and Stephanie Ziegler recorded the only hits of the day as the hosts dropped game two on Thursday afternoon.
Lakeland falls to 14-22 on the year and concludes OCCAC play with a 1-5 record.
April 20, 2012 | Puscian, Walsh Guide Lakeland Past Walsh
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland softball moved within two games of the .500 mark after sweeping a non-conference doubleheader with Walsh University JV on Friday afternoon. The Lakers improved to 14-16 overall as they prepare for an OCCAC twinbill at first place Owens on Saturday.
Game One: Lakeland 11, Walsh University JV 3
Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) and Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) each belted a homerun and drove in four runs to propel Lakeland to a win in game one. Sophomore Stephanie Ziegler (Ledgemont, Ohio / Thompson) went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and three runs scored.
Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) allowed three runs (one earned) in six innings of work to pick up the win.
Game Two: Lakeland 7, Walsh University JV 2
Lakeland completed the sweep behind three RBIs from sophomore Alicia Smychynsky (Ledgemont, Ohio / Thompson) and two from classmate Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame). Seven different players combined to score seven runs for the Lakers, who have won three straight.
Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) earned the win in the circle to improve to 5-8 on the year.
April 17, 2012 | Softball Splits with Tri-C in OCCAC Opener
CLEVELAND – Lakeland opened the conference slate with a 12-1 win over host Tri-C before dropping game two 8-2 on Tuesday afternoon. The split moves the Lakers overall record to 12-16 entering Wednesday’s non-conference doubleheader against Lorain County.
Game One: Lakeland 12, Cuyahoga 1
Freshman Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) scored once and drove in three to lead the Lakeland offense in game one.  Sophomore Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame) went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI while classmate Stephanie Ziegler (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) tallied four hits – including a triple – in the victory.
Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield) delivered a pair of doubles, part of five extra-base hits for the visitors.
The Lakers scattered 16 hits in 33 at-bats, providing more than enough run support for freshman pitcher Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North). Fitzgerald allowed just four hits and one run in six innings of work to pick up the win.
Game Two: Lakeland 2, Cuyahoga 8
Lakeland’s bats fell silent in game two as the visitors registered just three hits in the nightcap. Two of those hits came in the form of triples from Ziegler and sophomore Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) while Megan Juratovac (Madison, Ohio / Madison) slugged an RBI double with her only hit of the game.
April 14, 2012 | Softball Takes Two at Mercyhurst Tournament
 NORTH EAST, Pa. – Alicia Smychnsky (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) drove in four over two games to power the Lakeland softball team to a pair of wins over the Community College of Rhode Island and Mercyhurst North East in non-conference action over the weekend.
Game One: Lakeland 7, CC of Rhode Island 4
Smychysnky went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored while Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the victory.
Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) scored twice on two hits, part of 13 on the afternoon for the Lakeland offense.
Fitzgerald picked up the win in the circle after tossing seven innings of six-hit ball. The freshman allowed four runs (three earned) and fanned three on the afternoon.
Game Two: Lakeland 5, Mercyhurst North East 4
Smychysnky’s two RBIs powered the Lakers past host Mercyhurst North East for their third straight victory. Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) added two more, moving her season total to a team-high 23.
Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) earned the win for the second time in as many starts. Schwed allowed four runs (three earned) in seven innings of work, scattering eight hits and striking out one to improve to 3-8 on the year.
Lakeland returns to action on Wednesday (April 18) when it plays host to Lorain County beginning at 3:30 p.m.
April 13, 2012 | Lakers Salvage Split with Notre Dame
KIRTLAND, Ohio – The Lakeland softball team rallied for a 4-2 win in game two of a non-conference doubleheader against Notre Dame College to salvage a split on Friday afternoon. The Lakers moved their record to 9-15 on the season.
Game One: Lakeland 3, Notre Dame 4
Sophomore Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) drove in one and scored once to pace the Lakeland offense. Freshmen Katie Payne (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) and Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) added a run apiece thanks to RBIs from Megan Juratovac (Madison, Ohio / Madison) and Kelsey Ott (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid).
Game Two: Lakeland 4, Notre Dame 2
Sophomore pitcher Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) went the distance in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out two to pick up the win.
The top of the order accounted for all four RBIs in the victory. Stephanie Ziegler (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) and Amanda Walsh each drove in one and scored once while Ashley Puscian and sophomore Alicia Smychynsky (Thompson, Ohio / Ledgemont) recorded an RBI apiece. Ziegler added a career-high three stolen bases.
Freshmen Randi Woodworth (Orwell, Ohio / Grand Valley) and Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside)
April 7, 2012 | Visiting Monroe Holds Off Lakeland
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Monroe Community College used a two-run sixth inning to take game one of a non-conference double-header before stealing game two in extra innings to sweep host Lakeland on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers (8-14, 0-0 OCCAC) will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they travel to Cuyahoga in their first conference game of the year.
Game One: Lakeland 0, Monroe 3
Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) paced the offense with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate and nearly sparked a late rally with double to right-center to lead off the sixth inning. Trailing by three with runners on the corners and two outs, Lakeland looked poised to trim the deficit only to be picked off at first to end the inning.
Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits.
Game Two: Lakeland 3, Monroe 4 (10 Innings)
The Tribunes broke a 3-3 tie with a single run in the top of the 10th inning and held the Lakers scoreless in the bottom half to pick up the win.
Puscian led the way once again after going 2-for-4 with an RBI in the setback. Freshmen Randi Woodworth (Orwell, Ohio / Grand Valley) and Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) each drove in one while classmates Katie Payne (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor), Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside), and Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield) scored runs.
Sophomore Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) suffered the loss despite allowing just one run over seven innings of relief.
April 6, 2012 | Lakers Clipped by Walsh University
NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Lakeland softball team dropped a pair of non-conference games to host Walsh University on Friday afternoon. The Lakers (8-12, 0-0 OCCAC) will host Monroe Community College on Saturday afternoon in the first home game of the 2012 season.
Game One: Lakeland 12, Walsh University 14
Sophomore Megan Juratovac (Madison, Ohio / Madison) led the way offensively with a career-high six RBI in game one. Juratovac went 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a run scored in addition to driving home six. Freshman Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) added a pair of RBI while Brittney Ungrady (Cleveland, Ohio / Mayfield), Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia), Shannon Schwed (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia), and Randi Woodworth (Orwell, Ohio / Grand Valley) each scored twice.
Fitzgerald took the loss in the circle, dropping her record to 5-5 on the year.
Game Two: Lakeland 2, Walsh University 10
The Lakers fell to 8-12 on the season after dropping game two of Friday’s doubleheader. Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame) went 2-for-3 and accounted for Lakeland’s only runs of the game while Puscian and Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) each recorded an RBI.
April 4, 2012 | Lakers Roll Past Lorain County
ELYRIA, Ohio – The Lakeland softball team scattered 31 hits over two games in a sweep of Lorain County on Wednesday afternoon. In the doubleheader, the Lakers hit .455 and scored a combined 31 runs – winning game one 17-3 before taking game two 14-6 - to improve to 8-10 on the season.
Game One: Lakeland 17, Lorain County 3
Freshman Amanda Walsh (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) led the Lakers offensively after going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a pair of RBI. Sophomore Ashley Puscian (Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia) went 2-for-3, driving in three and scoring a pair herself while freshman Alyssa Woltman (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) added three RBIs.
Freshman Kara Fitzgerald (Willowick, Ohio / Eastlake North) drove in three with her only hit of the afternoon while also picking up the win in the circle. Fitzgerald allowed three runs on three hits and struck out three to improve to 4-4 on the season. Liz Shull (Willoughby, Ohio / Lake Catholic) tossed two innings of scoreless relief in the win.
Game Two: Lakeland 14, Lorain County 6
Diana Moorman (Chesterland, Ohio / Notre Dame) went 4-for-5 batting the leadoff spot to pace the Lakers to a big win in game two. Moorman came within a homerun of hitting for the cycle while driving in three and scoring three runs.
Amanda Walsh drove in a career-high five runs and scored twice while Kara Fitzgerald recorded two RBI and two runs in the victory.
Katie Payne (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor) also went 3-for-5 at the dish, helping the first three hitters for Lakeland go a combined 10-for-15 in the nightcap.
Fitzgerald picked up her second win of the day to improve to 5-4 on the year after tossing five shutout innings in relief.
The Lakers have won five of their last seven games and will travel to Walsh University on Friday (April 6) for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
February 29, 2012 | Shayla Purnell Signs with Lakeland Softball
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Shayla Purnell (Kent, Ohio), who played at Roosevelt High School, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Lakeland Community College and play softball beginning in the fall of 2012. The utility infielder recently completed her senior season with Rough Riders, her third year of varsity softball.
As a junior, Purnell earned team MVP honors and was selected to play in the All-Star game at Firestone Stadium, home of the Akron Racers professional softball team.
December 13, 2011 | Softball’s spring training schedule announced
COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The Lakeland softball team’s 2012 spring training schedule has been released and the Lakers will matchup with a number of two-year programs from around the country in mid-March. The Lakers will play ten games over a five-day period including six games in the final two days.
Lakeland opens the week with a twinbill against the County College of Morris (N.J.) on Sunday, March 11. One day later, LCC takes on Chesapeake (Md.) College.
Lakeland takes a day off before opening day four with a 9:00 am matchup with last year’s NJCAA Division III national champions Gloucester County (N.J.) College. The Roadrunners went 47-5 last year en route to the title.
The Lakers close the day with a double-header against Kishwaukee (Ill.) College. On the final day of competition, LCC meets Oakton (Ill.) CC for a morning double-header before taking on Heartland (Ill.) CC in the afternoon.
Lakeland finished 23-15-1 last year and tied Owens CC for the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Championship. This year’s squad returns a pair of First Team All-OCCAC selections in sophomores Ashley Puscian and Stephanie Ziegler.
Click here for the full 2011-12 Lakeland softball schedule.
Post Season Honors
The voting is in for the 2011 All Conference Softball Team. Making the team from the Lakers are sophomores, Megan Passwaiter (pitcher/outfield) and Leah Moore (third base) freshmen Leah Loga (pitcher), Ashley Puscian (first base), and Stephanie Ziegler (shortstop).
Passwaiter played in all 8 conference games this season. She had 16 hits in 29 at bats for a team high .552 average. She had 4 doubles, 1 triple and 1 homerun, hitting in 11. Passwaiter played 56 innings of errorless ball with 18 putouts and 8 assists. Pitching she had a 1-0 record, facing 82 batters in 16 innings and allowing only 25 hits.
Moore had 25 at bats in the 8 conference games. She had 4 hits and 2 doubles with 3 RBIs for a .160 batting average. Moore played 56 innings in the field with 14 putouts, 16 assists.
Loga played in 5 of the conference games for the Lakers. She faced 129 batters in her 30 innings of pitching giving up only 33 hits. She gave up only 11 earned runs for a team best 2.57 ERA. Loga’s record was 3-1 with 1 save.
Puscian played in all 8 conference games batting .333 with 10 hits, 2 doubles, 2 homeruns and 10 RBIs. In 56 innings in the field she had only 2 errors with 51 putouts and 3 assists.
Ziegler was up to bat 25 times in the 8 conference games. She had 13 hits, 4 doubles, 1 homerun and 6 RBIs for an impressive .520 batting average. Her defense was almost flawless with only 1 error in 56 innings. She had 16 putouts and 9 assists.
Coach Sargent was also recognized in the conference. She was named OCCAC Coach of the Year. Lakeland tied for first place in the OCCAC with a 6-2 record, taking all 4 games from Cuyahoga and splitting with Owens 2-2. Sargent beat out Coach Komlos of Cuyahoga and Coach Lanham of Owens to be named OCCAC Coach of the Year.
Coach Sargent was also voted as a top coach by Triple Crown Sports Group. She has been affiliated with this group for the past four years and this year they asked her to coach one of the all-star high school teams in a tournament this summer in New York.
Congratulations Lakers!
Softball Regionals
Friday, May 13, 2011 (Game Three) -- Lakeland lost their third game to Macomb Community College 4-1. Stephanie Ziegler was 2 for3 and scored the Lakers only run. Ashley Puscian went 1 for 3 with a double, and Megan Passwaiter had the Lakers only RBI of the game. This was Passwaiter’s 52nd RBI, tying the all-time record at Lakeland for Runs Batted In.
Ashley Puscian and Leah Loga were named to this year’s Regional All-Tournament Team. Puscian was 4 for 10 during the tournament with 4 doubles, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Loga pitched 17 innings giving up 17 hits, 10 earned runs, walking only 1 batter and striking out 12.
The Lady Lakers finished their season with a record of 23-15-1. Congratulations on a great season!
Thursday, May 12, 2011 (Game Two) -- In their second game at Regionals Lakeland played Oakland Community College, a team that they knew would bring tough competition. The Lakers put up a fight but in the end they fell short losing to Oakland 7-3. Vicky McBean went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs, Megan Juratovac was 2 for 3 with a run scored and Shannon Schwed was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Leah Loga took the loss. The Lakers play at 12:00 pm on Friday, if they win they will advance to the championship game and a chance to go to Nationals.
Thursday, May 12, 2011 (Game One) -- The Lady Lakers won their first game at Regionals this afternoon. Lakeland beat St. Clair by a score of 8-1. The Skippers were only able to get 2 this off of Lakeland’s pitcher Leah Loga. Loga had 9 strike outs and no earned runs on the day. Ashley Puscian and Leah Moore had an impressive day at the plate. Puscian was 3 for 4 with 3 doubles and 1 RBI. Moore was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s helping to secure the win for the Lakers. The ladies will play in their second game tonight at 6:00.
Softball finishes tied atop OCCAC, prepares for regionals
The Lakeland Community College Fastpitch Team tied for first place in the conference when they split in a doubleheader against Owens Community College on Sunday. The Lady Lakers are 2-2 this season verse Owens who is ranked 8th in the nation. Lakeland has proven to be the only team this year that has been able to take down the Express who had a perfect record of 32-0 until they faced the Lakers last week. Leah Loga pitched for the Lakers, giving up only 3 runs on 8 hits. Once again, it was a combined effort at the plate to secure the victory. Megan Passwaiter and Erica Tanski got things started for the Lakers each driving in a run. Megan Juratnovic drove in 2 more runs in the bottom of the 6th to give the Lakers the lead. Leah Moore finished the game in the top of the 7th with 1 out when she made a diving stop, tagging one runner and throwing the other out at the plate for the final outs. Lakeland will travel to Battle Creek, Michigan this week to compete in the Regional Tournament. Good luck Lakers!
Lakeland Upsets Owens Perfect Season
The Lakeland Fastpitch Team traveled to Toledo, Ohio Wednesday afternoon to play conference rival Owens Community College. There is always a lot of excitement and anticipation when Lakeland plays Owens but this year was different than any other. Going into the double-header on Wednesday Owens was near the end of completing a perfect season. The Express had a record of 32-0 with only 8 games left in the regular season. The Lakers lost the first game 9-0 but they weren’t going to give up the second that easily. Leah Loga was remarkable on the mound, giving up only 6 hits, striking out 3 and walking only 1. She held the Express to only 3 runs and gave her offense a chance to win the game. It was a team effort at the plate; Stephanie Ziegler was 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and a walk in the lead-off position. Ashley Puscian and Abby Santiago combined for the teams 4 RBIs, each hitting in two runs with a double. Megan Juratnovic was 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and a single. Lakeland was able to hang on and win 4-3, giving Owens their first loss of the year. Congratulations Lakers on this remarkable effort!
The Lady Lakers are traveling to New York this weekend to play Erie Community College and Finger Lakes Community College on Friday and Saturday. When they return home they’ll take on Owens for a second time. The double-header will be at Lakeland on Sunday, May 8, at 1:00 and 3:00. Come out and support your Lakers as they try to take first place in the OCCAC.
April 26, 2011 -- The Lady Lakers Fastpitch Team has much to be proud of even though they have only played 26 games so far this season. They have only played 14 games since their return from Florida over a month ago, however, they continue to practice and keep their game sharp. The Lady Lakers have a record of 15-10-1 and 2-0 in the conference. If the weather permits they will have one more double header against Tri-C and two against Owens CC to determine whether they will return to Regionals at Battle Creek, Michigan. The Lakers are led offensively by Megan Passwaiter and Ashley Puscian, each batting over .400. Leah Loga, freshman pitcher, joined the Lakers over the winter break and has been a major asset to the team. She commands respect from batters with a 2.06 ERA and an 8-3 record. Despite the inconsistent playing schedule the Lakers have maintained their nearly flawless defense with a team fielding percentage of .929. The team is scheduled to play their next double header right up the road at Cuyahoga Community College on Wednesday, April 27 at 3:30 and 5:30 in Parma, Ohio.
Spring Trip 2011
Once again the Lady Lakers spent spring break in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The team played 12 games at the Cocoa Expo and came home with an 8-4 record. Stephanie Ziegler is ranked 39th in the nation for her hitting and 47th in the nation for on base percentage. Ziegler has been up to bat 43 times and has 18 hits, 9 of which are doubles and 2 homeruns, giving her a .419 batting average. She has reached base 21 times in her 43 appearances at the plate for a remarkable .457 on base percentage. Another standout for the Lady Lakers is freshman pitcher Leah Loga. Loga pitched 33 innings in 5 games coming home with a 4-1 record. Loga faced 144 batters allowing only 25 hits, striking out 25, and walking 3. She has an impressive 1.26 ERA as the Lakers get ready to begin conference play. Six of the thirteen girls are batting over .300 with Leah Moore, Megan Passwaiter, and Stephanie Ziegler combining for a total of 6 homeruns. The team will play Marietta College and Mount Union University JV before conference play begins against rival Owens Community College on Saturday, April 2, 2011.
Recap of 2010 and Outlook for 2011
Last season the Lady Lakers Fastpitch team finished with a 23-22 record. Megan Passwaiter was a major contributor to the team both offensively and defensively. Pitching in 18 games with a 2.61 ERA and maintaining a .426 batting average earned her the Most Valuable Player Award. Julie Lopardo also played a key role in this Lakers team; she was named Best Offensive Player for Lakeland with a batting average of .359. Taylor White was named Best Defensive Player for Lakeland holding her own behind the plate in the catcher’s position. Last season Katie Basmagy was awarded The Coaches Award, an award given to the player that has the best attitude every year. In addition to these four athletes, Leah Moore proved to be a valuable addition to the Lady Lakers with a .412 batting average. In the outfield freshmen Amber Drenski and Diana Moorman each batted over .300 and played nearly flawless defense all year.
This past fall the girls finished their scrimmage season with an 18-6 record. This record is the best fall record the Lady Lakers have had in several years. Beginning the fall season with Mercyhurst Northeast the girls came out strong and never looked back. As the fall season went on the team grew closer, and with that team chemistry came improvements in every area. The pitching staff grew, the defense meshed, and the girls really began hitting the ball. Standouts from the fall were sophomores Amber Drenski, Leah Moore and Megan Passwaiter, and freshman Ashley Puscian, all hitting over .300 for the season. Passwaiter also made her presence known on the pitcher’s mound. She pitched in twelve scrimmage games with only two losses and an ERA of 1.8.
Lakeland will be taking the field this spring with 14 athletes, five returners (Amber Drenski, Leah Moore, Vicky McBean, Megan Passwaiter, and Bree Wilson) and eight freshman (Ashley Puscian, Shannon Schwed, Mo Jurotovac, Maryssa Sanelli, Brie Beasley, Stephanie Ziegler, Leah Loga, Abby Santiago) and one transfer (Erica Tanski from Lake Erie College). The Lady Lakers will open their season down in Florida at Cocoa Expo, where they hold spring training every year. With this mix of experience and talent Coach Sargent says it is a promising year. This will be no easy task; the girls will be facing tough competition including Mount Union University JV, Monroe Community College, and Notre Dame College JV. These teams will hopefully get the girls prepared for the tough conference play against Owens Community College and Cuyahoga Community College. As our Athletic Director, Scott Barlow likes to say "They need to do it when it counts." |
