ROSEMONT – Roosevelt scratched across three runs in the top of the seventh inning to salvage a split of its two games Sunday at the Flyer Invitational at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

The Lakers (4-4) couldn't get their offense going in a 5-1 setback against Hillsdale in the morning. But the offense did just enough in the afternoon to scrape past Truman State 5-4 in a back-and-forth affair.

ROOSEVELT 5, TRUMAN STATE 4
The Lakers took full advantage of two poor pitches from the Truman State pitching staff to stun the Bulldogs. After surrendering the lead in the bottom of the sixth, Roosevelt needed two runs to stay alive in the top of the seventh.

Isis Enriquez started the frame with a well-hit single through the left side, then scurried over to second on a wild pitch to the backstop. Ella Dvoracek followed with an infield single on a well-placed slap that forced the third baseman enough off her line to be a half-second late with the throw. With runners on the corners, Athena Pomele-Pen tried to lay down the suicide squeeze, but instead found herself with an infield single when no one was covering first base.

Truman State made a pitching change after Enriquez scored on the bunt, and the first pitch was well out of the catcher's reach and allowed everyone to advance 60 feet. The next two Lakers failed to drive in the tying run with Ella Dvoracek thrown out at home on a grounder from her sister Brynn. However, Brynn ran to second while the attention was at home plate, a decision that would shortly prove wise.

The Bulldogs uncorked yet another wild pitch that allowed Pomele-Pen to score and tie the game, which also allowed Brynn Dvoracek to move to third. A third pitch that evaded the catcher allowed Dvoracek to score and give the Lakers a one-run lead to protect.

Riley Czarnecki allowed back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the seventh, but the freshman hunkered down to earn her third win of the season. She forced a groundout to Pomele-Pen, who flipped to Kaspar to nab the lead runner at third base. Then she induced a pop fly to right field that moved the runners up a base. But with the tying run 60 feet away and the winning run on second, Czarnecki got the Bulldogs hitter to roll over on a pitch and dribble it back to the circle for an easy third out.

Truman State took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI double, but Czarnecki navigated her way out of trouble to strand two on base. Roosevelt was quick to respond in the fourth inning, again finding ways to score without needing many hits.

Kendall Pearson started the inning with a walk then went to third on Brynn Dvoracek's single. Dvoracek went to second when the Bulldogs tried to throw out Pearson at third, which became important when Caitlin Williams reached on a fielder's choice as the third baseman walked Pearson back to third base. Bianca Gallegos again grounded into a fielder's choice, but this time the third baseman overthrew the catcher, allowing Pearson to tie the game. Libby Kreykes drove in Dvoracek with a grounder to the shortstop, whose only play was to throw to third for the out.

Czarnecki again worked her magic to limit the damage in the fifth inning after a single to leadoff the frame. Williams was able to throw out a runner trying to stretch a single into a double as the tying run scored, but Truman State quickly put two more runners on base. Czarnecki induced a lazy pop up to second base to escape the inning, stranding two of the 10 total runners the Bulldogs left on base.

Roosevelt had first and third with one out in the sixth inning after Williams worked a walk then stole second base before Gallegos hit a comebacker off the pitcher. However, the Lakers could not capitalize and Czarnecki missed high twice in a row with runners on third base, allowing both to score on wild pitches.

HILLSDALE 5, ROOSEVELT 1
The Roosevelt pitching staff could only hold on for so long against the Chargers with the offense struggling to rack up hits. The Lakers actually took the lead in the top of the first without mustering a hit as Ella Dvoracek walked to lead off the game then took second a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt from Kendall Pearson brought Dvoracek to third base and Athena Pomele-Pen grounded out to first to score Dvoracek.

Hillsdale countered in the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles and a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score. But Catie Luzzi shut down the rest of the threat with three straight outs, including Pomele-Pen tagging out a runner trying to score on a rundown between third and home plate.

The Lakers again put some pressure on the Chargers in the second inning without getting a hit as Ava Kaspar was plunked then Libby Kreykes drew a walk. However, the threat ended there for Roosevelt. Hillsdale took the lead in the second inning before Kailey Hancock came on to strand the bases loaded.

A solo homer in the fourth inning extended the Chargers' lead before the Lakers garnered their only hit of the game in the fifth. Dvoracek followed a Caitlin Williams walk with an infield single before the two were left on base. Hillsdale then scored twice in the fifth to end the scoring.

UP NEXT: The Lakers are off this week before embarking on their yearly trip to Florida for spring break. Roosevelt opens up its 10-game trip to Florida on March 3 against Davis & Elkins and Wheeling.