May 12, 2007

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - Senior right-hander Vince Rizzi knew he had a full bullpen behind him heading into Saturday's GLIAC Championship tilt against Ashland (38-17) but he would not need any help as he allowed just one run in nine innings en route to GVSU's (42-7) 5-1 win. The GLIAC title is Grand Valley's fifth consecutive and 12th in school history. The Lakers will now participate in the NCAA North Central Regional Tournament to be held Thursday, May 17 through Saturday, May 20 at a site and time to be determined. The 48 team tournament field will be announced on Sunday, May 13 at 8 pm at www.ncaasports.com.

The Lakers gave Rizzi a very quick 3-0 lead as CF Pat Radde led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from SS Dan Skirka, his only at bat of the game as he would be removed after the first inning for Brad Raj due to an injury he suffered against Mercyhurst. After a Spud McKenzie pop out Derek Hinke drew a walk and Lee VanStreain was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Casey Robrahn. The designated hitter delivered with a two run single to right field which gave Grand Valley a 2-0 lead. With runners on the corners Ashland starter Justin Richards delivered a pitch that was mishandled by catcher Eric Zattlin allowing VanStreain to score easily.

Ashland got one back in the bottom half of the first as Tyson Rowland led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout by Justin Randall. GLIAC Player of the Year Casey Jirsa stepped to the plate next and delivered an RBI single back up the middle just out of the reach of a hobbled Dan Skirka. Raj would come in the bottom of the second as a defensive replacement for Skirka.

Rizzi would face the minimum from the second through the fifth innings as he settled down nicely after the shaky first inning. The Laker bats continued to get to Richards but were unable to push another run across until the sixth inning when Raj came up with a big play. LF Matt Nickels picked up a one out bunt single to first base and moved to third when CF Pat Radde singled to right on a hit and run play. After Radde was caught stealing at second for the second out in the inning, Raj hit a nubber to third base that was fielded and fired to first but Raj was hustling all the way down the line and slid head first into the bag to score Nickels from third and give the Lakers a 4-1 lead.

The Lakers added another run in the top of the ninth as Raj did the damage again leading off with a single, then moving to second on a sacrifice bunt from Spud McKenzie then proceded to score on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Rizzi did not allow a runner past second after the first inning throwing just 93 pitches in the contest for his ninth win of the year.

Raj and Robrahn combined to go 6-8 with 3 RBIs on the day as Radde and Nickels chipped in two hits and a run scored apiece for the Lakers. The win was GVSU's 11th consecutive in the GLIAC Tournament as the Lakers claimed their fifth straight title and 12th in school history eclipsing Ferris State for the GLIAC lead.

The Lakers will learn their tournament fate on Sunday, May 13 at 8 pm on www.ncaasports.com where the 48 team tournament field will be announced.