Viking softball splits vs. Aquinas JV

The Glen Oaks Community College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with the Aquinas College JV Saints on April 1 at Aquinas College.

Game 1
Aquinas College JV edged Glen Oaks Community College 6-5 in a back-and-forth opener. Glen Oaks jumped out early with three runs in the first inning and added single runs in the fourth and seventh, but the Saints JV answered throughout and scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman center fielder Cassie Holland went 1-for-4 and later took the loss in the circle, throwing two innings with three runs allowed (two earned). Freshman pitcher/first baseman Hannah Brinks started and worked four innings, allowing three runs (two earned).

Freshman second baseman Maddy Lewis led Glen Oaks with two hits and a run scored, while freshman third baseman Grace Zimmerman drove in three runs, including a home run. Sophomore shortstop Grace Blanchard added two hits and an RBI, and freshman left fielder Kourtney Zarycki scored twice and tripled.

Glen Oaks finished with 10 hits but committed three errors. Aquinas College JV totaled nine hits and scored in five different innings to secure the win.

Game 2
Glen Oaks responded with an 11-8 victory in the second game, using a six-run sixth inning to take control.

The Vikings collected 15 hits in the game, led by freshman second baseman Maddy Lewis, who went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Freshman left fielder Kourtney Zarycki added three hits, while freshman first baseman Hannah Brinks and freshman pitcher/infielder Madi Hosbein each had two hits and an RBI.

Freshman catcher Grace Blanchard drew a walk and scored a run, while freshman utility player Josie Stephenson tripled and drove in a run. Freshman utility player Paige Davis also scored a run.

Hosbein started in the circle, allowing eight runs (six earned) over four innings. Freshman pitcher Brooklynn Root earned the win in relief, tossing three shutout innings with nine strikeouts and just one hit allowed.

Aquinas College JV scored five runs in the third inning to take an early lead, but Glen Oaks rallied late, scoring eight runs over the final two innings to complete the comeback.