April 3, 2005

Box Score

Allendale, Mich.-Grand Valley scored runs early in each game Sunday (April 3) and allowed only two runs on the day as the Lakers beat Findlay 4-1 and 6-1 in a GLIAC doubleheader. Jeremy Dow started game one pitching a complete game, striking out 10 and allowing only three hits. Grant Payton threw the second game pitching a complete game with eight K's. Scott Smith led the Laker offense going 4-8 with two runs and three stolen bases. The Lakers improve to 11-3 on the season and 5-1 in the GLIAC. Findlay drops to 8-10 overall and 4-4 in GLIAC action. Grand Valley returns to action Wednesday, April 6 in a nine inning game at home against Calvin.

The Lakers struck first in game one on back-to-back great plays by Nick Smith. Ryan Lyster walked and advanced to second on a Scott Allen single to right field. Smith followed with an RBI single through the right side. The very next batter Smith stole second beating the throw and allowing Allen to score from third. Findlay answered back with a run of their own in the top of the third on an RBI groundout by Sean Vargo. The Lakers tallied another run in the third when Chad Rohacs hit an RBI double to left-center that scored Brandon McFarland from second base. Grand Valley added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Nick Sandy led off the inning with an opposite field home run. Jeremy Dow improved his record to 3-0 on the season pitching seven innings of one run ball. Dow struck out 10 Oilers and did not allow a hit after the fourth inning.

Grand Valley and Findlay battled to a stalemate through the first three innings as neither team could cross the plate. The Oilers were the first to strike, scoring on two doubles in the fourth inning. Findlay could have added more runs in the top of the fifth but thier rally was thwarted when Grant Payton forced a routine 6-4-3 double play to get out of a bases loaded jam. The Lakers responded to the defensive stand by posting four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Nate Secor and Scott Smith led off the inning with back-to-back singles and were advanced by a Ryan Lyster sacrifice bunt. Scott Allen reached base on a fielder's choice as Secor was thrown out at home. McFarland followed with a single through the left side that drove in Smith from third to tie the game at one. The Lakers then capitalized on an Oiler error on a ball hit by Nick Smith to the second baseman. Two Lakers scored on the play, including McFarland all the way from first base. Chad Rohacs followed with an RBI single to center that drove in Smith from second. The Lakers added two more runs in the sixth thanks in large part to inconsistent Oiler pitching. Four Lakers walked in the inning as eight came to bat. In a daring move with the bases loaded Scott Smith stole home on a 2-0 pitch to up the Laker lead to 6-1. Grant Payton retired the final six hitters in order to secure the win. Payton threw seven innings allowing one run and striking out eight.

Scott Smith finished the weekend going 6-13 with four runs scored, one RBI, and a perfect 4-4 on stolen base attempts. Nick Smith added in four hits on the weekend, scored twice, and drove in four runs. The Lakers return to action Wednesday, April 6 at 4 pm at home against Calvin before travelling to Saginaw Valley State for GLIAC doubleheaders Saturday (April 9) and Sunday (April 10).