ROSEMONT – A lineup shakeup worked like a charm as Roosevelt roared back to split a doubleheader against Purdue Northwest on Saturday in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference openers for both teams at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

After recording just two hits in the first game of the day, the Lakers made three changes to the starting lineup for the second game. It worked, as Roosevelt (7-15, 1-1 GLIAC) churned out 13 hits in an 8-4 win over the Pride to earn the split. Purdue Northwest had a late surge of offense in the opener to win 8-0 in six innings.

ROOSEVELT 8, PURDUE NORTHWEST 4

The Lakers didn't waste much time to get on the board, scoring once in the first and three times in the second. That was enough for Kailey Hancock, who pitched all seven innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out three and walking just a single batter.

There was potential for Roosevelt to put up even more runs in the first after Kendall Pearson's single was followed by Rebecca Urbaniak's RBI double. The sophomore moved up to third on a passed ball before Kennedi Robien worked the first of two walks on the day. Kennedy Calderon also walked to load the bases with one out, but a double-play ball ended the inning.

Roosevelt made sure to take advantage of that situation in the second, this time saving the offense for two outs. Sophia Barofsky walked, but two straight outs put the Lakers in danger of stranding her at first. But Ella Dvoracek hit an infield single and Pearson's dribbler back to the circle was slow enough to advance everyone.

Urbaniak hit a hard hopper to third base, allowing everyone to advance the 60 feet safely. Robien then lined a single into right field, which plated two runs before Robien was tagged out trying to advance when she thought the right fielder was going to throw home.

The Pride scored a pair of unearned runs in the third inning and the 4-2 scoreline held until the fifth. With two outs, Cassidy Sullivan and Barofsky stole third and second, respectively, to put themselves in scoring position for Madisyn Schrad. The junior catcher was able to beat out a slow grounder to shortstop, which allowed Sullivan to score from third. Then a wild throw from the shortstop allowed Barofsky to come around to score while Schrad moved up to second.

The Lakers added on two more in the sixth after Pearson and Urbaniak set the table with consecutive singles. Calderon came up with a two-out single to plate the speedy Pearson then Sullivan slapped a single to center to score Urbaniak.  

Five different Lakers drove in runs in the victory, led by two each from Robien and Urbaniak. Pearson went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and Urbaniak was 3 for 4 with her two RBI while Robien was 1 for 2 with two walks and the two RBI.

PURDUE NORTHWEST 8, ROOSEVELT 0  

Dvoracek reached base in all three of her plate appearances, but that was pretty much the extent of the Lakers offense. The junior outfielder had both of Roosevelt's hits, but didn't advance to second in either inning. She did steal second in the third inning after her walk.

The Lakers were a bit unlucky in the first inning after Dvoracek laid down the perfect bunt for an infield single. Pearson's line drive was snared by the Purdue Northwest shortstop, who was able to double off Dvoracek at first. Urbaniak then drew a walk, but was caught stealing to end the inning.

In the second, Barofsky reached on catcher's interference then Isis Enriquez was hit by a pitch, but both were stranded there. Dvoracek was left at second after her third-inning steal as well.

Riley Czarnecki was matching the Pride's pitching staff for the first four innings, but Purdue Northwest struck for four in the top of the fifth. Caitlin Williams tried to start a rally in the bottom of the frame with a two-out walk. Dvoracek followed with a single, but the two were left on the base paths.

Purdue Northwest added four more in the sixth to complete the run-rule victory.

UP NEXT: Roosevelt stays at home Sunday for a twinbill against Grand Valley State at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex starting at 1 p.m.