May 3, 2003

Box Score

Bay City, Mich. - Grand Valley State cruised to the GLIAC title with a 4-0 victory over Gannon in the championship game. The Lakers scored four times in the second inning and the Golden Knights never threatened as freshman Kristin Jenner allowed only three hits. The Lakers, who won the GLIAC regular season title, claimed the conference championship for the second time in the past three years. GVSU, who is ranked #6 in the NFCA Top 25 and #1 in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional poll, heads into the NCAA tournament with a 46-4 record on the season.

Grand Valley loaded the bases in the first with only one out but was unable to score. In the second, GVSU packed the bases again as Kerri Jonas doubled, Rachel Blain walked, and Erin Ballinger posted an infield single. Tara Marsh drove the first run in on a bunt single, and Lindsay Crawford followed with a walk to drive in another run. Sara Vroegindewey drove in the final two runs on a hopper that slid under the shortstop's glove.

The four runs were more than enough for Jenner as she allowed only three hits, and did not allow a runner to reach third. It was the third complete game shutout of the season for Jenner, who improves to 16-1 on the season. She has assisted on four other shutout efforts including a two-hit shutout in the second round of the tournament.

GVSU was a perfect 4-0 in the double elimination contest and have now won nine straight games. The Lakers will play next weekend in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional tournament with the site still too be determined. The host site, along with dates and times will be announced on Monday, May 5. GVSU is the defending NCAA Great Lakes champion as they advanced to the NCAA World Series for the first time in school history, when they finished in second place.