Triceratops stampede to series sweep over Lakeland

PARMA, Ohio (athletics.tri-c.edu) – The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference-leading Cuyahoga Community College Triceratops (22-5, 13-1 OCCAC) decisively won both parts of an April 17 doubleheader against Lakeland Community College (3-13, 1-8 OCCAC).

Game one was all about offense for the Triceratops, as five different hitters recorded an RBI in the 9-1 six-inning win. Sophomore pitcher Julee Phillips (So./Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) took the Triceratops the whole way, allowing just the one run on the game. Katelyn Smith (So./Columbus, Ohio) led the way at the plate with two RBI singles, including the walk-off run rule hit, and an outstanding play in the hole at second base.

While the offense stayed hot in game two, the defense and pitching by Brooke Brubaker (Fr./Columbiana, Ohio) was the difference in the second tilt. Brubaker worked a strong game, tossing a complete game shutout against the Lakers. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

• Phillips took the bump to start game one. The Lakers strung together two hits to kick off the game, but she was able to work out of the jam with a strikeout and a flyout.
• Tri-C struck first on a Sammi Zabak (So./Broadview Heights, Ohio) RBI triple in the bottom of the second. An error off the bat of Smith brough Zabak in to score
• The Triceratops picked up right where they left off in the bottom of the third, with Reese Adkins (So./Oak Harbor, Ohio) reaching base with a single, then stealing second and third. Lexi Grey  (So./Tallmadge, Ohio/Baldwin-Wallace) knocked her home with an RBI double to extend the Tri-C lead to 3-0.
• Tri-C kept up the pressure in the fourth as Jayliana Wilt (Fr./Youngstown, Ohio) scored on a passed ball.
• Lakeland's offense got on the board in the top of the fifth with a single up the middle. Phillips was able to strand two other baserunners with a flyout to right to end the inning.
• Tri-C took full control of the game with three RBI singles and a RBI fielder's choice to end the game in the sixth, 9-1. A single up the middle by Smith was the deciding factor, giving the Triceratops a walk-off run rule win.

Game 2

• Brubaker took the ball for game two and the Lakers immediately went after her, loading the bases. A 1-2-3 double play started by Brubaker in front of the plate nixed Lakeland's scoring opportunity.
• Tri-C struck first in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice off the bat of Sophie Durbin (So./Mansfield, Ohio/Mount Vernon Nazarine), plating Alex Greenauer (Fr./North Canton, Ohio).
• A Triceratops hit parade put Tri-C in control in the fourth, headlined by a bases-clearing 3 RBI triple from Zabak to take a 4-0 lead.
• Tri-C hitters stayed hot, placing hits all across the field and moving station-to-station, ultimately scoring four more runs in the fifth inning to force an 8-0 run-rule victory.

UP NEXT

Tri-C and Lakeland will go head-to-head again April 20 for a doubleheader in Kirtland. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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