May 18, 2006

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - #1-seeded Grand Valley State (45-8) scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings and GVSU starter Grant Payton (12-0) held #6 Rockhurst to just four hits en route to a complete-game shutout (2-0) over the Hawks. Grand Valley State advances to a second-round game Friday at 1 p.m. versus the loser of the Quincy-Ashland game. The NCAA North Central Regional is being played at Grand Valley State.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when GVSU pushed its first run across the plate. RF Nick Sandy dropped a perfect bunt down third to reach base and freshman 1B Casey Robrahn went with an outside pitch and drove a single to right. DH Brandon Bard moved Sandy and Robrahn up with a sac bunt and SS Dan Skirka plated Sandy with a slow roller to short and GVSU went up 1-0. LF Nate Secor doubled to open the sixth and was driven home by C Nick Smith's sharp single to center with two outs.

Payton, who improved to 12-0 on the year, notched four strikeouts and did not allow a Rockhurst runner past second. With the win, Payton tied the GVSU career mark (21) and the single-season mark (12) for wins. The Lakers managed just six hits in the game, all off Rockhurst starter and loser (7-4) J.P. McGrath. McGrath struck out seven and walked three.

GVSU's 45 wins is just one shy of the single-season, school-record total of 46 established in 2004. The Lakers have now won 21 straight games overall, and 27 straight versus DII competition. In addition, GVSU improved to 18-1 at home with 16 straight on its home turf.