Courtesy of Grand Valley State athletic communications
Box Score | GVSU Press Conference
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –- The five seeded Grand Valley State softball team improved to 2-0 in the College World Series after a thrilling 2-1 walk-off victory in nine innings against the top seed UT Tyler Friday (May 26) afternoon at Frost Stadium. The Lakers improve to 47-6 this season and advance to Sunday's bracket final.
It was a pitcher's duel through the first three innings as each team only got one base runner. Hannah Beatus gave up a leadoff triple in the first inning, but followed up by retiring the next 17 consecutive batters including striking out five during that span.
The Lakers got on the board in the fourth inning to go up 1-0. Lydia Goble started things off with a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs in the inning, Kelsey Komorous came up big with a bloop RBI single to right field to score Goble.
In the top of the seventh inning, UT Tyler launched a solo home run to left field to tie the game at one, sending the game into extra innings. In the eighth inning, UT Tyler led off the inning with a single to center field, but Beatus would retire the next three batters to keep the Patriots off the board. In the bottom half, the Lakers loaded the bases, but UT Tyler would escape out of the jam to send the game to the ninth.
UT Tyler recorded a one-out double to right center, but Beatus would strike out the next two batters to keep the game tied. In the bottom half, Megan Koenigshof led off the inning with an infield single to third base. Kaitlin Lynch advanced Koenigshof to second. Next batter, Joanna Cirirncione singled to second base to advance Koenigshof to third with one out. Lydia Goble came up clutch during the next at bat, driving home the game-winning run with a walk-off single through the right side to give the Lakers the 2-1 victory.
Goble batted 3-5 on the afternoon including the game-winning hit, along with a double and run scored. Koenigshof also had three hits and scored the game-winning run. Kelsey Komorous went 2-3 with a run batted in and walk. Morgan Spicer wen 2-4 at the plate, while Joann Cirrincione and Morgan Wagner each added a hit.
Hannah Beatus was impressive once again in the circle earning her 29th win of the season. Beatus tossed all nine innings allowing one run off six hits with 11 strikeouts, and tossed her 27th complete game of the season.
The Lakers advance to Sunday's semifinals and will await their next opponent. GVSU is one win away from advancing to the College World Series National Championship series which is a best-of-three starting on Tuesday (May 30) at Frost Stadium.
