The Tiffin University softball team came out swinging on Friday afternoon, thumping Purdue Northwest 12-1 in their first game of the GLIAC Tournament. In the Dragons second game of the day, Tiffin dropped a tough game to top seeded Grand Valley State 4-1.

Game One

It took a while, but the Dragons' offense kicked it in gear against Purdue Northwest. After a solo home run by the Pride in the bottom of the 4th to take a 1-0 lead, the Dragons hit the ground running in the 5th. Alayna Lytle got the party started with a ringing two run double to give Tiffin a 2-1 lead. Libby Crow delivered a single to center field to score Lytle and give Tiffin a 3-1 lead.

The 6th inning was a smorgasbord for the Tiffin hitters, scoring nine times in the frame. Gabrielle Hess netted an RBI with a single to make it 4-1, and Ally Rock's bunt single made it 5-1. Lytle collected another run batted in with a single to make it 6-1, Hayley Kobie's single down the left field line made 8-1, Brooke Lambert's fielder's choice forced another run home to push the lead to 9-1, Hess picked up another run batted in with an infield single, and two more runs scored on an error by the Pride to make it an even dozen runs for Tiffin.

Starting pitcher Kimmy Reynolds went the distance for Tiffin on the mound, allowing an earned run while punching out eight for her 13th win of the season.

Alayna Lytle was the offensive star for Tiffin, finishing 3 for 3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Gabrielle Hess finished with a pair of hits and two runs batted in, and Hayley Kobie also knocked in a pair of runs.

Game Two

The Dragons knew they had their work cut out for them in the nightcap, taking on the top seeded Lakers of Grand Valley State. Starting pitcher Tiffany Snell worked her magic early on in the game, holding the high powered Laker offense in check through the first four frames.

The Tiffin offense had a tough customer to face when they stepped to the plate, as GLIAC Pitcher of the Year Allison Lipovsky had the strikeout pitch working. The Lakers broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the 5th, plating four runs in the inning. 

Tiffin never quit, and in the 7th they had the Lakers' starter on the ropes. With one out, Allyson Rock and Amanda Rock singled. After a strikeout, Jamie Sevenish loaded the bases with an infield single. Libby Crow forced home a run when she was hit by a pitch to make it 4-1. With the tying run at first, the Dragons couldn't find the hit they needed as they fell 4-1.

The Dragons will be back in action tomorrow in Sandusky in the second round of the GLIAC Tournament.