May 25, 2009

Box Score

Cary, N.C. - Grand Valley State dropped a 5-4 decision to Belmont-Abbey College Monday afternoon at the 2009 NCAA DII World Series in Cary, N.C. GVSU, making its fourth appearance in the NCAA DII World Series since 2003, closes to the season with a 45-16-1 record.

Belmont-Abbey led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth and when the Crusaders scored two runs to take a 4-0 lead it looked as if the 2009 season had come to an end for the Lakers. GVSU had not crossed home plate in 17 innings during the NCAA DII World Series and had just the top of the ninth to score four runs and force a bottom of the ninth. Freshman LF Cody Grice singled to open the ninth and senior DH Ben Knuth followed with a two-run homerun off the left field foul pole to pull the Lakers within two (4-2). Senior catcher Bobby Walmsley singled for the third time in the game and RF Scott Cain walked. Senior Matt Nickels entered the game to pinch run for Walmsley. Junior pinch hitter Jay Tharrett sacraficed Nickels and Cain up to second and third.

Junior 2B Kyle Gendron reached on a fielder's choice as the pitcher threw home when he saw Nickels break for the play. However, the catchers throw to third was high and Nickels was able to slide safely. 1B Cory Maguire singled to right to score Nickels and pull the Lakers within one (4-3). Senior CF Casey Robrahn followed with a single to left to score Cain and tie the game. Gendron also tried to score from second on Robrahn's single, but was called out by the home plate umpire. Photos showed that Gendron's hand touched home plate before he was tagged. SS Brad Raj flied out to end thing inning that saw GVSU score four runs on five hits.

Belmont-Abbey's Justin Vasquez reached on an infield single to open the bottom of the ninth and advanced to second on a passed ball. The Crusader's Daniel Kassouf was intentionally walked and pinch hitter Justin Baxley singled to left to load the bases. Catcher Spencer Sabol singled to left to score Vasquez and give Belmont-Abbey the win.

Freshman pitcher Kyle Schepel yielded two runs and four hits in 4.2 innings. Junior Matt Cade yielded two runs in 3.0 innings of relief. David Bowman and Joe Jablonski also saw action on the hill for the Lakers. Walmsley led the Laker offensive attack with three hits, while Maguire and Robrahn each collected a pair of hits.