The Houghton Gremlins softball team bounced back from a tough road trip with two impressive wins at home against the Marquette Sentinels on Saturday. After four straight losses, the Gremlins found themselves trailing in both games of the doubleheader but managed to come back and secure victories of 5-1 and 9-4.
Coach Mel Baker emphasized the importance of learning from losses and using them as stepping stones for growth. The team’s defense was solid, and their bats finally woke up, leading to the much-needed wins.
Marquette, despite their struggles in recent years, showed promise with a young team eager to improve. Coach Derek Swajanen praised his players’ efforts and highlighted the need to trust the process of improvement.
In the first game, Houghton responded quickly to Marquette’s early lead, with key plays from players like Stella Soumis and Lexi Burns. Stella Soumis showcased her leadership on the mound, earning praise from her coach.
The second game saw the Gremlins break open a close contest with a five-run inning, sealing the win. Despite Marquette’s efforts to rally, Houghton’s strong performance, especially from pitcher Romi Mattson, secured the victory.
The Gremlins will look to carry this momentum into their next game against Iron Mountain, aiming to build on their recent success and continue their winning streak.