May 8, 2008

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - Grand Valley State junior LHP Andre Benjamin tossed a three-hit, complete game victory over Ashland Thursday afternoon in GLIAC Tournament first-round action at Dow Diamond in Midland, Mich. GVSU (32-11) will now take on Wayne State Friday at 12 noon in a winners bracket contest.

Grand Valley State struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the second. 1B Cory Maguire and 3B Brad Raj drew one-out walks, followed by a single from SS Dan Anstedt that scored Maguire. Raj advanced to third and Anstedt second on the throw. C Bobby Walmsley drove home Raj with a groundout to shortstop. Ashland evened the scored with a walk and a 2-run HR in the bottom of fourth. GVSU came back with the game-winner in the top of the fifth as CF Matt Nickels opened with a double to left. Nickels advanced to third on a Pat Radde groundout and then scored on a sacrafice fly to left from 2B Josh Hillyard. GVSU pounded out 10 hits, while Ashland managed just three hits. The Lakers left 10 runners on base.

Benjamin improved to 10-1 with the pitching victory. Andre struckout four and walked just two. 1B Cory Maguire was 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Anstedt was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Walmsley droved in a run. RF Derek Hinke was 2-for-5.

Grand Valley State improved to 13-1 in GLIAC Tournament action since 2003, including 12 straight victories. The Lakers won the 2004, 2005 and 2007 tournament titles. The 2003 tournament title game versus Saginaw Valley State was called due to rain, while the entire 2006 tournament was called due to weather.