Six-run fourth inning puts Lakeshore in title game

Published 9:01 am Friday, June 14, 2019

EAST LANSING — A six-run fourth inning propelled No. 4-ranked Lakeshore into the Division 2 softball state championship game on Saturday.

The Lancers defeated No. 3-ranked Eaton Rapids 8-1 in the state semifinals at Michigan State University Thursday morning.

Leading 1-0, the Lancers batted around in the fourth inning, scoring six runs, including two on bunts in which the runner from third beat the tag from the Eaton Rapids catcher.

The other highlights from the fourth inning was a two-run triple by Sierra Ciesielski and an RBI double by Laney Mead off the top of the center field fence.

Lakeshore (31-10) used three pitchers in the contest, including Grace Connelly, who worked the final three innings.

Eaton Rapids (39-4) pitcher Grace Lehto had entered the game with an ERA of 0.34, but could not keep the Lancer bats silenced from the fourth inning on.

Lakeshore will face either Escanaba or North Branch in the title game, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.