April 14, 2007

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Allendale, Mich. - Matt Nickels dropped down a bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning in game two, as the Lakers trailed by one, that was misplayed allowing both Pat Radde and Cory Maguire to race around the bases for the game tying and winning runs as the Lakers secured a GLIAC sweep of Wayne State Saturday in Allendale, Mich. #5 GVSU improves to 25-2 overall and 13-1 in the GLIAC with the 3-1 and 10-9 wins as Wayne State drops to 18-13 on the year and 7-7 in GLIAC play, the Lakers and Warriors will face off at 1 pm tomorrow at the Laker Baseball Field.

Nickels' heroics were the perfect ending for a great all-around day for the left fielder as he went 3-5 on the day with four runs driven in to go along with a tremendous diving catch in game two. Game two saw freshman Brennen Glass take the hill for the Lakers as he would last three innings while giving up five earned runs on just three hits, walking two and hitting another pair of batters. Wayne State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first with a RBI groundout and a one run double.

The Lakers regained the lead in the bottom of the second as they pushed three runs across in the inning. RF Derek Hinke got things going with a lead off single back up the middle and moved to second when C Nick Smith was issued a base on balls. DH Casey Robrahn dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt moving the runners up to second and third with just one out in the inning. CF Pat Radde followed with an RBI groundout to second base scoring Hinke and moving Smith to third. 1B Cory Maguire drew a free pass of his own after the RBI groundout setting the stage for Nickels. The sophomore inside-outted a ball down the left field line to score both Smith and Maguire and give the Lakers a 3-2 advantage.

The Warriors struck back in third with an RBI groundout of their own and a two run homer off the bat of Jon Weisman, the GLIAC homerun leader (9 HR's). The Lakers regained the lead an inning later in the bottom of the fourth as SS Dan Skirka drove in a run on an RBI groundout and 3B Lee VanStreain came up with a critical two out hit driving in two runs with a double down the left field line to give GVSU a 6-5 lead. Freshman Brad Raj entered the game in the fourth inning striking out two in the inning while stranding the bases loaded. Wayne State loaded the bases with two down and their cleanup hitter, Derek Ranck, coming to the plate. Ranck laced a ball to left center that was caught by Nickels who made an unbelievable diving catch to end the threat.

The Warriors picked up a single run in the top of the fifth in an inning that saw some things not typically seen in a baseball game. After a single and a walk to lead off the inning 1B John Skaggs stepped to the plate and dropped down a bunt that was misplayed and thrown into right field allowing a run to score. Laker skipper Steve Lyon brought a very important fact to the umpires' attention as Skaggs and C Bob Schmidt had been batting out of order all game long. The runners were sent back to their respective bases as Schmidt was automatically out in the fifth and Skaggs would step back to the plate. Skaggs singled to right in his second at bat of the inning, first official this time against RHP David Bowman, loading the bases for SS Matthew Williams who walked in the game tying run. Bowman would settle down and strikeout the next two batters to end the inning.

The Lakers picked up another run in the bottom half of the fifth as Hinke reached first on a passed ball on a swinging third strike. After a sacrifice bunt by Smith, Hinke would score on an RBI single to right field by DH Casey Robrahn. WSU would regain the lead in the top of the sixth scoring on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. The Lakers were staring defeat in the face heading to the bottom of the seventh down to their final three outs. Spud McKenzie was fooled on a full count pitch to lead off the inning and was set down on strikes for the first out. Hinke followed with a single through the left side before Nick Smith came up with a timely double to left center that scored Hinke and tied the game. Senior Matt Middleton threw a perfect top of the seventh for the Lakers and looked to be cruising in the eighth setting the first two men down. Schmidt would get his redemption, as he struggled all day long, with a game changing blast down the left field line for his first home run of the season one which gave Wayne State a 9-8 lead.

The Lakers would battle back yet again as they have done all season long pushing two runs across in the bottom of the eighth. Radde led off with a ball that nearly took off WSU pitcher Kevin Kadrofske's head but made its way to center field. 1B Cory Maguire reached on a fielding error by the third baseman as he dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Nickels followed and appeared to be doing the same as Maguire. After watching a ball on the first pitch, Nickels squared to bunt but was jammed inside and dropped an 'excuse me' bunt down the third baseline but raced down the line to make it a close play at first. The catcher made a poor throw to first base that ended up in right field allowing both Radde and Maguire to race around the bases and give the Lakers the 10-9 victory.

GVSU is now 41-1 in their past 42 GLIAC contests, dropping just a 9-6 decision earlier this year to Saginaw Valley State. 3B Lee VanStreain drove in four runs on the day as he went 3-7 at the plate today, while C Nick Smith was 2-4 at the dish with a run scored and two RBIs.