April 22, 2007

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Grand Valley State (31-4, 19-3 GLIAC) dropped a GLIAC doubleheader Sunday afternoon in Erie, Pa. to the host Lakers of Mercyhurst losing game one 7-1 before dropping a tough 1-0 decision in game two. GVSU was unable to push a run across in the top of the seventh as it loaded the bases. The Lakers will take to the field next weekend in a four game weekend series in Allendale, Mich. against Findlay beginning at 1 pm on Saturday and 12 pm on Sunday.

GVSU put an early run on the board in game one but its offense would go quiet the rest of the day as the Lakers dropped two consecutive games for the first time all season. SS Dan Skirka led off the game with a walk then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lee VanStreain. After Spud McKenzie flew out center, C Nick Smith delivered an RBI single to right field to score Skirka and give Grand Valley the early 1-0 lead.

Mercyhurst would answer in the bottom of the second as its number nine hitter connected on a three run homer for a lead that would not be relinquished. Mercyhurst tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning for a 7-1 lead as the GVSU offense was held scoreless the rest of the contest. Grand Valley left 12 runners on base in the game, seven of which were in scoring position.

Game two saw a strong pitching performance from sophomore Aaron Melucci as he threw a complete game while allowing just one run. The single run would be enough though, as Mercyhurst claimed the 1-0 win. The bottom of the third saw Melucci set the first two batters down before giving up a solo home run to CF David Lough for the lone run in the game.

Grand Valley had some great opportunities in game two but were unable to capitalize on them. In the top of the sixth with two outs, back-to-back singles by 3B Lee VanStreain and 2B Spud McKenzie put a runner in scoring position for C Nick Smith. The senior catcher flew out to left field to end the inning and the Laker threat.

The Lakers appeared that they would tie the game in the top of the seventh as RF Derek Hinke led off the inning with a single to center field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch with nobody out. DH Casey Robrahn followed with a shot to right field leading to a play at the plate as the Mercyhurst right fielder gunned down Hinke at the plate to keep the score at 1-0. Robrahn advanced to second as CF Pat Radde followed with single to left field putting runners at the corners with just one out. Radde then stole second base to put the winning run in scoring position. Cory Maguire had a chance to be the hero but grounded a ball back to the pitcher for the second out of the inning, keeping the runners at second and third. LF Matt Nickels then stepped to the plate and was hit by a 2-2 pitch to load the bases for SS Dan Skirka. The senior watched the first pitch miss the strike zone then flew out to left field to end the game.

The sweep marks the first losing streak for Grand Valley on the season and snapped the Lakers' 18 game winning streak. Spud McKenzie was the lone Laker with three or more hits on the day as he went 7-11 in the weekend series with a pair of runs scored and driven in.

Grand Valley will take on Findlay in a pair of weekend doubleheaders on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 at 1 pm and 12 pm, respectively. The Lakers will have the week off before the weekend series for final exams.