The Lindenwood softball team had its home opener on Saturday afternoon from Lou Brock Sports Complex, and freshman pitcher Stormee Galka struck out nine Wisconsin-Parkside hitters en route to a 4-2 win.
 
Galka punched out three of the first four hitters, retiring seven of the first eight opposing hitters before allowing her first hit in the top of the third inning.
 
After being sent down in order in the first inning, the Lindenwood offense scored a pair of runs in the second frame. Brooke Tiehes was hit by a pitch and Lexi Theis singled up the middle to lead off the inning, before Kimberly Fozzard would reach first with one out to load the bases. Hannah Johnson knocked in Tiehes with an RBI ground out, as Galka helped herself right after singling in Theis.
 
The Rangers cut into the deficit in the third inning after an error by Austine Pauley allowed the earlier single to come around and score. The Lady Lions got that run back in their half of the third inning when Theis doubled home Maddie Bohr.
 
Galka reached base on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fourth, and stole second to get into scoring position. Pauley overcame her earlier fielding error to double off the top of the fence, scoring her teammate to make the score 4-1.
 
The southpaw retired seven in a row from the end of the fourth inning until she walked the leadoff hitter in the seventh. Galka forced a groundout and struck out a hitter, but a passed ball put the runner on second, before the Rangers' second hit of the game made the score 4-2. The freshman would induce a grounder to Pauley at shortstop for the third out of the game.
 
Galka earned the win inside the circle, improving her season record to 2-2. The freshman also swiped two bags, increasing her season total to three. Theis led Lindenwood at the plate with a pair of knocks.
 
The win improves Lindenwood to 4-6 on the season. The Lady Lions will host Wisconsin-Parkside tomorrow afternoon from Lou Brock Sports Compex for a double header beginning at 12 p.m.