Lady Chargers Sweep Lakeland in OCCAC Finale Behind Power Surge

The Edison State Community College softball team closed out OCCAC play in dominant fashion on Thursday, April 30, sweeping a doubleheader from Lakeland Community College behind an explosive offensive performance.

Game One: Edison State 12, Lakeland 0

Mackenzie Byrne powered the Lady Chargers in the opener, blasting two home runs and driving in three runs in a 12-0 shutout victory.

Edison State got on the board early in the first inning and never looked back, extending the lead in the third inning with home runs from Byrne and Emma Kamerer. Byrne added another two-run homer in the fourth, while Abigail Kadel chipped in with a solo shot in the fifth.

The Lady Chargers broke the game open in the sixth, plating five runs highlighted by a two-run single from Marissa Pine and a two-run double by Camryn Swain.

Pine was dominant in the circle, tossing five shutout innings while allowing no hits and striking out five. Lauren Dersham closed out the game with a scoreless inning in relief.

Edison State recorded 14 hits, with Taylor Bauer leading the way with three hits from the leadoff spot. Pine, Kadel, and Swain each added multiple hits as the Lady Chargers remained aggressive on the basepaths and flawless defensively.

Game Two: Edison State 14, Lakeland 2

The Lady Chargers carried their momentum into game two, cruising to a 14-2 win behind a historic performance from Zoey Hodge.

Hodge delivered one of the top offensive performances of the season, launching three home runs and driving in seven runs to lead Edison State.

Jenna Dirksen got the scoring started in the first inning with a two-run homer, and Hodge followed with a solo shot in the second before breaking the game open with additional home runs in the third and fourth innings.

Byrne also added a home run in the fourth as Edison State piled up runs, scoring in every inning from the first through the fourth.

Hodge also earned the win in the circle, allowing two runs over five innings while striking out four without issuing a walk.

The Lady Chargers totaled 15 hits in the game, with Izzy Holp, Kamerer, and Hodge each collecting three hits. Byrne and Dirksen also contributed multiple-hit performances as Edison State once again played error-free defense.

The team concludes OCCAC play on a high note and will look to carry the momentum into its upcoming matchup against Kent State University–Tuscarawas in the season finale on Sunday, May 3. The Lady Chargers are 32-6 overall and finished 17-3 and second place in the OCCAC.