Lakeland Softball Starts the Season with a Sweep

There were some mistakes. There was sloppy play. But in the last three innings the Lakeland softball team got back on track, starting its regular season off with an 8-3 victory over Walled Lake Central. 

Catcher Kelsey Johnson drove in three runs with a double and a triple, and Selena Hicks hit a two-run homer over the center field fence to lead a strong offensive attack. Lakeland though did commit five errors in the first four innings, allowing the Vikings to hang around. 

Lakeland also dominated the second game of the doubleheader with a powerful offensive performance in an 11-1 win, as Hicks went the distance on the mound allowing just three hits. 

“I think there were a few first game jitters,” said Lakeland assistant coach Gary Merkle about the opener. “We had a few kids making their first start at the varsity level and a few girls who are underclassmen who are taking an important role on the team. But once we got deeper into the game they hit the ball pretty hard.” 

Pitcher Michelle Stiltner picked up the win, allowing just one earned run in the complete game victory. Stiltner may not have had her sharpest command, but began to hit her spots later in the game. 

“We all had a few nerves when we went out there, even though we had some errors early I knew that my defense had my back the whole game,” Stiltner said. “I think we made some nice plays later in the game and that gave me confidence.” 

Certainly Lakeland’s bats gave her confidence as well. Hicks’ deep drive and a Sierra Burke double off the top of the fence gave Lakeland three early runs, but the Eagles led just 3-2 midway through the game. Then Lakeland scored three as part of a two-out rally. 

Following an infield hit, Kelsey Cleary lined a double into the gap to drive home a run. Johnson followed with a double of her own to drive in a pair for a 6-2 lead. Walled Lake Central got a run back in the fifth, but Lakeland (2-0) scored twice in the sixth with RBIs again from Johnson and Burke. 

“When you get up by three or four runs it makes my job a lot easier and really takes a lot of the pressure off,” Stiltner said. “I could feel it get lifted off my shoulders.” 

Johnson will be counted on to provide some offensive firepower all season. She said that the Eagles have natural hitters who should be able to carry the load if pitching and defense falters. 

“We’ve been working hard all during the offseason on our hitting practice and many of us work with hitting instructors on the side,” Johnson said. “I think it was a case of jitters early on but we have many good hitters and I think we can put up a lot of runs.” 

Merkle did say that team speed made a difference in the first game as well, with the Eagles getting many bunt and slap hits, showing midseason form with their ability to get runners on base. 

“We did get a lot of our bunts down and I was pleased with that,” Merkle said. “I think we settled down and played our game.”