May 3, 2003

Box Score

Bay City, Mich. - #6 Grand Valley State advanced to the GLIAC tournament championship game with a 2-1 victory over Ashland on Saturday morning in Bay City, Mich. GVSU is 3-0 in the tournament and can claim the tournament title with another victory. Jennifer Goldschmeding was 3-for-3 with two doubles, and scored the first Laker run and drove in the game-winner in the fifth. Jennifer Mackson threw a complete game allowing only four hits, to win her 25th game of the year. GVSU is now 45-4 on the season.

The Lakers scored first in the fourth inning when Goldschmeding led off with a double to rightcenter. After a Sara Vroegindewey sacrifice, Ashland set down the next two GVSU batters. After Kerri Jonas drew a two-out walk, Rachel Blain singled to left to drive in the run. Ashland answered right back in their half of the fifth as the lead-off batter, Colleen Devery, homered to tie the game.

However, the Lakers did not take long to get back on top. In the bottom of the fifth, Erin Ballinger was given first after being hit by a pitch. Tara Marsh then hit into a fielder's choice, and Lindsay Crawford moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt. Goldschmeding followed with her second double to drive in Marsh for the game-winner as Mackson held the Eagles scoreless in the last two innings.

Goldschmeding finished the day 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Blain posted the Lakers' only other hit. Mackson (25-2) finished with 10 K's on the day, her 12th double-digit strikeout effort of the season.

GVSU will play the winner of Ashland and Gannon at 3:00 pm at Veterans Memorial Park in Bay City in the first championship game. If the Lakers are unable to win the first, there would be a final game for the title between the two squads.