Lakeland takes a pair of wins from Vikings in twin bill

Huron Valley Lakeland started the 2011 season on a positive note with a doubleheader sweep before stumbling just before the weekend.

The Eagles (2-1 overall, 2-0 in the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association North Division) began the week by hosting Walled Lake Central on Wednesday, April 13 and taking both games of a twin bill matchup.

Lakeland won the opener, 8-3, behind strong pitching from Michelle Stiltner, who gave up one run on three hits, struck out seven batters and didn’t allow any walks in seven innings of work.

The Eagles struck in the third inning on a two-run home run by Selena Hicks.

Kelsey Johnson added a two-run double in the fourth inning and an RBI double in the sixth inning, while Sierra Burke also hit an RBI double in the sixth.

Lakeland then followed up with an 11-1 victory in the second game, as Hicks pitched five innings and gave up one run on two hits while striking out six batters and walking two.

Devan Olah hit a two-run double in the second inning while Kelly Merkle hit an RBI double in the fourth inning and Mary Armstrong had an RBI double in the fifth inning.

However, Lakeland would take a step back on Friday, April 15 in an 11-3 home loss to Hartland.

Hicks pitched 5 and one-third innings and didn’t receive much support from her Lakeland teammates, as they committed four errors.

Lakeland loaded the bases in the sixth and seventh innings, but could not convert.

Kelsey Cleary had a pair of hits and an RBI while Morgan Craft doubled, scored and drove in a run.

Hartland’s Abby Minsker allowed three runs on eight hits while Laura Oliver had a double and drove in three runs.

Also on Thursday, April 14, Central (0-4, 0-2) fell at Pinckney 10-0.

Lakeland will next play on Wednesday, April 27 at home against Waterford Mott before traveling to Brighton on Friday, April 29.