May 29, 2004

Box Score

Montgomery, Alabama - Grand Valley State was unable to get over the hump in the NCAA DII National Championship game versus Delta State Saturday night as the Statesmen claimed a 12-8 victory over the Lakers in the title game. GVSU, which was making its first-ever National Championship game appearance, finished the 2004 season with a 46-16 record.

Delta State was always just a half step ahead of the Lakers in the title game. DSU scored a single run in the first, two in the second and another single in the third before the Lakers got on the board. GVSU strung together three straight singles and 3B Scott Allen plated GVSU's first run on a fielder's choice. RF Joe Mertes drove in another run with a single to left and Lakers cut the Delta State lead in half (4-2). Delta took a 6-2 lead before the Lakers' Brandon McFarland drove in two with a double to leftcenter with two outs. However, Delta answered back with three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 9-4 lead. GVSU battled back again in the seventh when DH Matt Wright took a 2-2 pitch and drove it over the scoreboard in left field for a three-run HR to make the score 9-7 Delta State. The Statemen added three runs in the top of the ninth on a solo and two-run HR to take a 12-7 lead. GVSU 1B Tim Hudnall took the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth and homered to left before the Lakers were retired.

Phil Mixter took the loss, yielding four runs in 2.1 innings. Jon Micoff came in on relief and yielded five runs, three of which were earned in 3.0 innings. Sean McLeod held the Lakers close with two scoreless innings before Joe Finnerty gave up two runs on one hit in the ninth.

McFarland was 3-4 with two RBI, while 2B Scott Smith, RF Joe Mertes, DH Matt Wright and LF Nick Sandy each collected two hits. Wright drove in three runs, while Scott Allen, Mertes, and Hudnall each drove in a run.

Brandon McFarland and Matt Rafeld were each named to the 2004 NCAA DII World Series All-Tournament Team.