March 25, 2006

Box Score

Findlay, Ohio - #11 Grand Valley State started the 2006 GLIAC season on a strong note beating the Findlay Oilers twice by a 5-1 and 6-4 margin. The Lakers improve to 15-3 on the season and 2-0 in the conference. GVSU will finish its series with Findlay tomorrow beginning at 12 pm in Findlay, Ohio.

Jeremy Dow picked up the win in game one throwing a complete game allowing four hits, an unearned run, struck out 11 and did not walk a single batter. The Lakers jumped all over the Oilers right from the start putting three quick runs on the board taking advantage of a Findlay error. SS Dan Skirka started the rally with one out drawing a walk and moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by 2B Spud McKenzie. C Nick Smith was intentionally walked putting runners on first and second for RF Nick Sandy who hit a ball that was misplayed by the centerfielder allowing Skirka and Smith to score. DH Chad Rohacs followed with a RBI single of his own to give the Lakers a quick 3-0 lead.

Findlay advanced runners to first and second on a single and an error to start its half of the first and came up with a RBI double to cut the margin to two (3-1). Dow was able to work out of the jam getting a strike out for the third and final out of the inning. Dow settled down the rest of the way allowing just two hits and striking out through the final six innings. The Oilers never sent more than four batters to the plate in an inning after the first, with Dow setting Findlay down in order in the third, fifth, and sixth innings.

Starter Caleb Meyer seemed to figure out the Lakers allowing just one hit over the next three innings but GVSU got things going again in the fifth tacking on two more runs. 3B Lee VanStreain led off the inning with a walk and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by LF Pat Radde. CF Jeff Carrero followed with a RBI double and was able to move to third on the throw. McKenzie gave the Lakers a 5-1 lead with a RBI single to left field driving in Carrero.

Grand Valley used big innings in the second game to win 6-4. The Lakers scored three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. The first three innings made the game appear to be a pitcher's duel as each team was able to get just one hit. The fourth inning was a different story as GVSU took advantage of two costly Findlay errors to gain a 3-0 lead. Skirka got the inning going reaching first on an error by the pitcher and followed that by taking second on a passed ball. McKenzie followed by beating out a bunt for a single and moved Skirka to third in the process. After a Smith pop out, Sandy hit a ball that was misplayed by the second baseman allowing Skirka to score and Grand Valley to take a 1-0 lead. VanStreain came up with the big hit in the inning driving a single to left field to knock in McKenzie and Sandy.

Findlay answered right back with three runs of its own in the bottom half of the fourth taking advantage of an error to score one run and drove in two more with a RBI single. Grand Valley looked to be figured out in the fifth as Radde and Carrero started the inning with back-to-back groundouts. The Lakers started a two out rally and pushed their lead back to three (6-3). Skirka started the rally once again with a single down the right field line followed by McKenzie hitting a single down the same line and advanced to second on the play. Smith followed with his second intentional walk in as many games, loading the bases for Sandy. The Oilers looked to get out of the inning but back-to-back errors by their second baseman and third baseman allowed Skirka, McKenzie, and Smith to score.

Findlay tallied three consecutive hits with a double, a RBI single, and a second single in the fifth to put runners on first and third with two outs. Starter Grant Payton was able to get out of the jam by recording one of his five strikeouts to end the inning. Payton went the full seven innings allowing four runs, only one earned, and tallied five strikeouts.

2B Spud McKenzie led the offense on the day going 3-4 with two runs scored and a RBI. SS Dan Skirka scored three of the Lakers 11 runs and RF Nick Sandy crossed the plate twice as well.

The Lakers and Oilers will hook up twice more tomorrow beginning at 12 pm in Findlay, Ohio.