By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
RICHLAND—After suffering a 5-3 setback in the opening game of a non-league doubleheader against Gull Lake on Monday, May 8, the Otsego softball team bounced back to win game two 9-7 and salvage the split.
Audrey Lingbeek went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI to lead the Otsego offense in the nightcap. She also pitched all seven innings—allowing seven runs on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts—to collect the win.
Maddie Elkins, Annabelle Lucas, Madison Hoffman and Tessa Visser added two hits each for Otsego, with Elkins delivering two doubles.
The Bulldogs were limited to four hits in game one. Lucas had two of those, while Lingbeek added a double and Hoffman added a single.
On Wednesday, May 3, Otsego battled Wolverine Conference foe Sturgis and earned the doubleheader sweep, eking out the 2-1 win in the opener and cruising to the 10-0 decision in game two.
Elkins pitched a complete-game one-hitter in the first game, walking none and striking out 10. Hailey Pueblo was the offensive hero, hitting a home run to drive in both Otsego runs.
Lucas, Lingbeek and Cassie Holland each singled and doubled in the nightcap as the Bulldogs scored four times in the first inning and didn’t look back.
Lingbeek earned the win in the mercy-rule-shortened contest, allowed no runs on two hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts.