Lakers Eliminate Eagles from Regional Softball Tournament, 2-0
May 10, 2003

By Joe Monaco, AU Sports Information

It’s like déjà vu all over for the Ashland University softball team.

The team that ended the Eagles’ run in the 2002 Great Lakes Regional tournament proved to be the same team that ended their 2003 run.

Grand Valley State behind the powerful pitching of Jennifer Mackson eliminated AU, 2-0, in the loser’s bracket finals in Allendale, MI on Saturday (May 10).

Rachel Blain broke a scoreless tie in the third inning when she hammered a solo home run to give GVSU a 1-0 lead. With Mackson on the mound, it proved to be all the runs that the Lakers would need.

Mackson tossed a complete game three-hitter as she struck out seven Eagles on the day. She improved her record to 27-3.

Josie Nelson (Prior Lake, MN/Jordan) picked up the loss for Ashland as she went the distance giving up two runs on four hits and matching her counterpart with seven strikeouts. She fell to 26-9.

GVSU added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Tara Marsh led off the inning with a single then was plated by a Jen Goldschmeding single.

Sara Mathes (Massillon, OH/Jackson) led the Eagles with a double while Shay Mulfold (Plainfield, OH/Ridgewood) and Ann Dunmire (Loudonville, OH) each added a single.

The Eagles ended their season with a 40-18 record. Grand Valley State advanced to the Great Lakes Regional championship against Wayne State.