May 6, 2006

Box Score

Grand Valley State defeated Wayne State, 5-3 in eight innings in the first of two GLIAC Tournament Championship games. Since both teams have a loss, they will play another game at 3:30 p.m. to determine the title. GVSU improves to 33-19 overall, while Wayne State is 32-23.

Wayne State scored runs in the first and third innings to jump out to a 2-0 lead. However, GVSU came back to tie the game at 2-2 with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. With one out in the inning, junior first baseman Crista Buresh reached base on a fielding error by the shortstop. Buresh moved to second base on a single to left field by sophomore designated player Elizabeth Smith. Senior left fielder Shelby Brayton doubled down the right field line to score the first run and the second run scored on a wild pitch.

The Warriors took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, but once again the Lakers tied the game with a run of their own in the sixth. Buresh doubled to right center and scored as Brayton reached first base.

The game remained tied after the seventh inning and GVSU broke the tie and won the game with two runs in the top of the eighth. Smith started off the inning with a single through the left side and moved to third base on a single through the right side by Brayton. Sophomore right fielder Lisa Preuss singled to center field to score the game-winning runs.

Freshman Lori Andjelich (15-10) pitched all eight innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs, while striking out six.

The Lakers outhit the Warriors by an 11-4 margin. Pruess was 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Brayton went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Freshman shortstop Nichole Woityra and Smith each tallied two hits apiece as well.\