Clermont, Florida – The Lawrence University softball team battled throughout but came up short in a 4-2 loss to Union (N.Y.) on Thursday afternoon at Legends Way Field.
Union struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on traffic on the bases to plate two runs and take early control. The Dutchwomen added another run in the fourth to extend the lead to 3-0 before Lawrence began to chip away.
The Vikings broke through in the bottom of the fourth as Sajel Stewart-Verna delivered an RBI single to score Anitza Gutierrez, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Gutierrez was electric on the basepaths all afternoon, reaching base multiple times and stealing  bases to set a new Lawrence single-game program record.
Union responded with an insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly, but Lawrence answered right back in the bottom half. Avery Chilson came through with an RBI single to bring home Gutierrez again, trimming the lead to 4-2.
The Vikings continued to battle late, putting a runner on in the seventh, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Gutierrez led the way offensively, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a record-setting three stolen bases. Chilson and Stewart-Verna each added an RBI, while Lawrence finished with five hits on the afternoon.
In the circle, Georgia Sedlack took the loss, allowing three runs over four innings, while Chilson provided a strong relief effort, giving up just one run over the final three innings.
