March 2, 2009

Final Stats

Clermont, Fla. - Grand Valley State split its games on Monday (Mar. 2) in Clermont, Fla. at the NTC Spring Games. The Lakers defeated Saint Joseph's, 6-0, in the opening game before dropping a 7-0 decision to nationally-ranked Winona State. GVSU is 3-3 after three days of its spring trip.

In the opening game, senior pitcher Lori Andjelich (2-1) was nearly unhittable, blanking the Pumas on just three hits in seven innings of work. She did not walk a batter and struck out eight SJC hitters for her second shutout of the young season. Andjelich enticed Saint Joseph's into 10 flyball outs and only one Puma runner advanced past second base.

The Laker offense provided Andjelich with three runs in the first and fifth innings. With two outs in the opening frame, freshman Carli Raisutis reached on an error. Junior first baseman Breanne Kronberg followed with her first homer of the season, giving GVSU a 2-0 lead. The Lakers were able to add another run on three straight hits: a double from Stephanee Schrader, an infield single from shortstop Nichole Woityra and a run-scoring single from right fielder Becky Gill.

Saint Joseph's never really threatened, putting multiple runners on base in just one inning. In the fifth inning, Gill totaled two more RBI on a single which scored Amanda Rumsey and Schrader, who doubled to left center. Rumsey was running for Raisutis, who singled to start the inning. Gill capped off the GVSU scoring as she crossed the plate on a passed ball.

Seven different Lakers tallied a base hit, as Gill and Schrader were both 2-for-3 at the plate. Gill recorded three RBI, while Schrader scored twice. Kronberg added the other two runs batted in.

The nightcap saw #9 Winona State pull away from GVSU in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring four runs off of Laker starter Andrea Nicholson (0-1) to put up a 7-0 lead. WSU tallied two runs in the third inning and pushed one run across the plate in the fifth frame.

Grand Valley State had a few opportunities to score, but were unable to get the big hit to put runs on the board. Third baseman Becky Rudenga doubled to start the third inning and left fielder Karen Walters followed with a bunt single. Walters was pushed to second on a sacrifice for the first out of the inning, but the Lakers were stranded in scoring position. GVSU also loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning on a single by Kronberg and a pair of walks. However, a fielder's choice got Winona State out of the inning and preserved its lead.

The Lakers recorded four hits; one apiece from Kronberg, Schrader, Rudenga, and Walters. Schrader and Rudenga both tallied a double.

On Tuesday (Mar. 3), GVSU returns to the field for a pair of games against West Chester (9:30 a.m.) and Salem International (11:30 a.m.). The Lakers lost to West Chester, 8-7, on Sunday and defeated Salem, 9-0, on Saturday.