The Wabash Valley and Lake Land softball rivalry has gone back and forth in the recent past. Last year, it was the Lakers turn to dominate in GRAC and Region 24 play.

This year neither team appears to have the upper hand. "This year, I think it's a pretty even matchup," said WVC coach Paul Schnarre. "We are a lot alike in a lot of different ways. Whenever we play it will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes."

That parity was on display Thursday at the field that bears Schnarre's name. The teams were both undefeated in GRAC play before the day's doubleheader. Now, neither team is after a split.

WVC (15-5, 11-1 in GRAC) won the opener, 7-4, on the strength of a grand slam by Abbi Fahse in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lake Land (19-5, 7-1) did not let an early lead slip away in the second game, holding off Wabash for a 7-5 victory.

In the opener, Skyler Wood cracked a 3-run home run in the first inning to give the Lakers an early 3-0 lead. Wabash struggled to counter the blow, stranding five runners - with the bases full once - in the early going.

Then, two swings of the bat changed the outcome of the game.

Trampe tied the game with a 3-run homer in the fifth off Lake Land starter Kayla Kirkpatrick (8-2) who came in with an ERA of 0.81.

"We just needed to get it all together," said Trampe of the missed opportunities early. "We were hitting her, and finally got it together."

Fahse's slam in the bottom of the sixth turned into the game winner.

"Words can't describe the hit," said Fahse, a sophomore from Evansville Reitz. "I felt it come off the bat and knew it was gone."

Lake Land wasn't done yet. They worked the bases loaded against Warrior starter Trampe, forcing Schnarre to go the bullpen with two outs. He brought in freshman Casey Warthan.

"We tried to give them a different look," Schnarre said. "She's more of a junk ball, slower, changeup type of pitcher after seeing some power (Trampe's suit). Fortunately it worked."

Trampe (7-2) struck out nine during her time in the circle, while striking out

In the second game, Wabash led 3-2 into the fifth, when Rachel Kellar hit a 3-run homer off of Sarah Burnham to put the visitors ahead to stay, 7-3.

"Sarah wore down a little bit," said Schnarre of his freshman hurler who had gone seven innings against Lincoln Trail one day prior. "I probably should have taken her out after the first couple of hits."

Burnham (8-2) went four innings, giving eight hits while striking out two. Kalyn Chapman went one inning, then Warthan the last two.

WVC scored two in the bottom of the fifth to account for the final, but could not get any closer to Lake Land starter Alexandria Smith (8-0).

Fahse said the Laker matchups have become special to her. "Ever since I came here we've been told it's a big game. Nobody understands it until you get out here," she said.

These two will face off again in Mattoon, with the specter of a Region 24 title matchup again a distinct possibility. "I look forward to playing them every time," Schnarre said. "It will be fun."