Blue Devils Push No. 14 Keiser to Wire in 5-4 Setback at Space Coast Complex

VIERA WEST, Fla. — Lawrence Tech built an early two-run lead and had the tying run aboard in multiple innings, but a three-run third by No. 14-ranked Keiser University proved decisive in a 5-4 Blue Devils loss Saturday afternoon at the Space Coast Complex in game two of a doubleheader.

The Blue Devils struck first with a productive opening frame, stringing together quality at-bats against the Seahawks’ starter. After Brenna Crittenden and Alyssa Bloomfield reached, sophomore infielder Sophia Propps split the gap in left-center for a two-run double, staking Lawrence Tech to a 2-0 advantage. Keiser answered in the bottom half with back-to-back RBI doubles from Genesis Iglesias and Trinity Rohrer to quickly pull the game even at 2-2.

Lawrence Tech continued to apply pressure in the third. Natilee Pridemore set the table as part of a strong day at the plate, and the Blue Devils cashed in when pitcher/designated player Sarah Basket delivered a run-scoring single to bring home Zoey Markey. The two-run inning pushed the Blue Devils in front 4-2 and capped a stretch of four runs on eight hits across the first three frames against a nationally ranked opponent.

Keiser responded with the game’s pivotal swing in the bottom of the third. Iglesias, who finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, lined an RBI single to trim the deficit to 4-3. Later in the inning, Ava Stahl punched a run-scoring single to tie it, and a sacrifice fly from Hollie Pabst gave the Seahawks their first lead at 5-4. All five runs were charged to Lawrence Tech starter Mikayla Timm, who worked 4.0 innings and battled through 123 team pitches thrown by the Blue Devils staff overall.

From there, the Lawrence Tech offense continued to threaten but could not find the timely hit. The Blue Devils finished with 11 hits, one more than Keiser, and left 11 runners on base. Pridemore reached safely four times, going 2-for-2 with a walk, hit-by-pitch and a run scored, while Propps’ first-inning double and two RBIs highlighted the middle of the order. Basket’s RBI single in the third added to a balanced attack that consistently put runners aboard against the Seahawks’ staff.

Keiser’s bullpen ultimately made the difference as reliever Mackenzie Masternak entered in the fourth and closed the door. The right-hander tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts and three walks to earn the win in relief. Lawrence Tech’s defense settled in behind its pitching over the final frames, committing just one error on the day while holding the Seahawks scoreless after the third and keeping the deficit at a single run.

Despite the setback in a one-run contest against a top-15 opponent, the Blue Devils showed they could generate offense and compete deep into the game on their spring break trip. Lawrence Tech will look to build on the 11-hit performance and extended scoring chances as the team continues play at the Space Coast Complex, including a matchup later Saturday against Marian University (Ind.) and additional games Sunday against Trinity Christian College (Ill.) and Wilmington College.