Feb. 26, 2006

Box Score

Highland Heights, Kent. - The #7-ranked Grand Valley State Baseball team wrapped up its trip to Kentucky with a split against the host Northern Kentucky Saturday afternoon. The Lakers claimed a 6-4 victory in the opening contest but dropped the second game 12-11 in a back and forth battle. GVSU is 2-1 on the short season and will travel to Missouri for its spring trip starting Mar. 4.

Senior Nate McCrory picked up the win in the opener throwing four scoreless innings of relief, while striking out three. 2B Justin McKenzie went 2-2 scoring three times and driving in one. The Lakers opened the contest with a run in the top of the first that was quickly answered by the Norse with two of their own in the bottom. The two teams traded a run in the third before the Lakers took the lead for good in the top half of the fourth. C Nick Smith hit a three run home run to give the Lakers a 5-3 lead. The teams each added another run to end the game at 6-4.

In the second contest Grand Valley raced to a 7-0 lead after one and a half, but were unable to hold onto the lead as the Norse scored three in the second and six of their own in the fourth. The Lakers answered back with two runs in the top of the sixth and one in the seventh to take an 11-9 lead into the bottom of the seventh. GVSU was unable to maintain the lead as Northern Kentucky rattled off four consecutive singles to gain the 12-11 victory. Leadoff hitter Jeff Carerro went 3-4 scoring once and driving in three in the game. Nick Smith and Brandon Bard each went 2-4 with two RBI apiece.

The Lakers will now travel to Joplin, Mo. to play in the Larry Hickey Classic starting Mar. 4.