April 18, 2009

Box Score

Ashland, Ohio - Grand Valley State fell in a league doubleheader at Ashland on Saturday (April 18), dropping a 6-0 decision in game one and a 6-4 defeat in the nightcap. The Lakers play a twinbill at Tiffin on Sunday afternoon (April 19) for their fourth doubleheader of the week.

With the results on Saturday, GVSU falls to 30-15 overall with a 10-10 conference mark. Ashland improves to 27-9 overall with a 15-3 GLIAC tally. The schedule makers gave the Lakers a tough task this week with doubleheaders against nationally-ranked Ferris State and regional foes Saginaw Valley State and Ashland.

In the opening game, AU did all of its damage by the long ball, as the Eagles smacked four home runs. Three of the homers were of the solo variety, but a three-run shot by designated player Shannon Gray in the bottom of the third inning. Those deep drives, coupled with strong pitching, doomed Grand Valley State in game one.

The Lakers recorded just four hits in the first game, with two of the safeties being bunt singles. GVSU's best scoring opportunity in the opener was in the top of the fourth inning, when senior shortstop Nichole Woityra singled to lead off the inning. Junior designated player Breanne Kronberg walked to put two runners on with nobody out. Ashland got out of the jam by retiring the next three batters, including two strikeouts.

Senior pitcher Lori Andjelich took the loss, giving up five runs on four hits in four innings pitched. She walked five batters and struck out four, falling to 17-7 on the year. Ashland freshman righty Emlyn Knerem threw a complete-game four-hitter, walking just one batter and striking out nine. Knerem is 13-4 on the year and is third in the GLIAC in strikeouts.

Home run derby continued in the second game, but GVSU took part in the long drive contest with a couple of deep drives. Ashland plated three runs in the first inning on a Logan Hursey homer, but Kronberg answered with a solo homer in bottom of the frame to make the score 3-1. Kronberg's next at-bat was in the third inning and ended with the same result - this time, though, a three-run bomb to center field that put the Lakers ahead for the first time all day. It was her first multi-homer game of the season, giving her six blasts for the year.

Ashland responded with a three-run inning in the top of the fifth, with the big blow coming on a two-run double smacked to center field from third baseman Alyssa Kelley. That made the score 6-4. Grand Valley State put a pair of runners on base in the seventh inning, but was unable to push a run across home plate.

For the Lakers, junior Lauren Rohan pitched a complete-game, allowing six runs on 11 hits. She walked a pair of runners and struck out two batters. It was the second straight game that GVSU managed four base hits. Kronberg was 2-for-2 with a walk, two homers, and all four Laker RBI. Lesley Bates and Amanda Rumsey also recorded hits in the nightcap.

Grand Valley State is at Tiffin on Sunday afternoon (April 19) for a pair of games starting at 12 p.m.