April 18, 2007

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - #4 Grand Valley State (29-2, 17-1) captured a pair of wins Wednesday afternoon in Allendale, Mich. against the visiting Timberwolves of Northwood (13-19, 3-12) with a 7-3 game one win and a 7-1 game two victory. Senior Lee VanStreain was 5-6 in the doubleheader with three runs scored and four RBIs. The Lakers will travel to Erie, Pa. this weekend for a four game set against Mercyhurst at 12 pm on Saturday and 1 pm on Sunday.

Game one saw the Lakers push a pair of runs across in the second inning as LF Steve Strutz singled in a run and DH Casey Robrahn scored when Northwood hurler, Joe Ashdown, was called for a balk. The Lakers tacked on another run in the third inning when RF Derek Hinke singled back up the middle to score Lee VanStreain who led off the inning with a single. GVSU added a single run in the fourth and fifth innings as VanStreain hit a sacrifice fly and Hinke slammed his fourth home run of the year to left field in the fifth.

Northwood finally got to starter Vince Rizzi in the sixth scoring three runs against the senior right-hander. Rizzi lasted 5.1 innings allowing seven hits and three earned runs to earn his GLIAC-leading seventh victory of the year. The Lakers padded their lead in the bottom of the seventh scoring a pair of unearned runs as Hinke dropped down a sacrifice bunt but the Timberwolves' third baseman threw the ball into right field scoring both Dan Skirka and Lee VanStreain to provide the final 7-3 margin. Sophomore David Bowman replaced Rizzi in the sixth to pick up his third save of the year and 10th of his career.

GVSU's bats came out strong in game two as the Lakers posted five runs in the first two innings en route to a 7-1 win. VanStreain, Nick Smith, and Casey Robrahn all picked up RBI base hits in the first as the Lakers jumped out to a 3-1 lead after starter Brennen Glass gave up an unearned run in the top of the first. VanStreain added two more RBIs in the second inning as he laced a ball to center that scored Cory Maguire and Matt Nickels. Nickels made a terrific slide into home to avoid the tag of the Northwood catcher and give Grand Valley a 5-1 lead. GVSU tacked on another pair of runs in the fifth on a similar play to the one in game one. Pat Radde tried to sacrifice himself on a bunt but the ball was misplayed by a new third baseman who threw the ball past the first baseman allowing Smith and Robrahn to score easily and provide the final margin (7-1).

Freshman Brennen Glass went 5.0 innings allowing just three hits and the unearned run to improve to 2-0 on the year. Sophomore Aaron Melucci threw two no-hit innings of relief to finish out the contest for the Lakers. VanStreain led all hitters going 5-6 with three runs scored and four RBIs. The senior third bagger is now hitting an even .500 (55-110) on the year to lead the GLIAC. Casey Robrahn (4-6), Dan Skirka (3-5) and Nick Smith (3-6) also hit over .500 on the day for the Lakers.

GVSU will face a tough test this weekend when they travel to Erie, Pa. to take on the Lakers of Mercyhurst in a pair of doubleheaders. Saturday's contests begin at 1 pm and Sunday's twinbill will be at 12 pm.