Saturday, March 21: Live Stats (Game One) | Live Stats (Game Two) | Audio | Game Notes
Sunday, March 22: Live Stats (Game One) | Live Stats (Game Two) | Audio

Columbus, Ohio -- After posting an 8-5 record against a rigorous non-conference schedule, the Grand Valley State baseball team will begin its pursuit of a fifth consecutive, and 19th overall, GLIAC title. The No. 18 Lakers, who moved up three spots in this week's National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association rankings, travel to Ohio Dominican for a pair of doubleheaders, each consisting of a 7-inning and 9-inning game.

Saturday's (March 21) doubleheader will start at 1:00 p.m. EDT, while Sunday's (March 22) will begin at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

Here's all the pertinent information heading into this weekend's series:

Series History - GVSU Leads 13-7
The Lakers swept last year's regular season series, posting a pair of shutouts and winning those three games by an average of 5.7 runs.

Coach's Corner
Head coach Jamie Detillion reiterated that the Lakers are focused on themselves this week, there's no need for a set lineup this early, and the challenges of playing an additional 9-inning game in each conference series.

On adding the Aquinas game earlier this week:
"We just need to get out and play more. It's been proven the last few years, once we get outside and start playing every day, the consistency starts to roll around. No matter whom we play, we are just out to prove ourselves and get better everyday, not get caught up in whom we play."

On whether or not Jason Ribecky's recent slew of hits will solidify him as the starting left fielder:
"There are a handful of guys still in the mix for playing time. I don't think there's any need to solidify an entire lineup. Jason has done a great job; he stepped up. But there are guys on the team that deserve playing time that we are going to work with and continue to work guys in at a couple different positions. We've got a lot of good players, a lot depth. Sometimes it's a matter of who's hot and who we need for certain situations and matchups."

On the challenges of adding a second 9-inning game to each GLIAC series:
"The positive is we have (more) nine-inning games, which we will need (leading into) the postseason. It's important to get experience playing in those. There's more use of depth from the bench and bullpen. I wouldn't say it's a challenge; it's something we are prepared for, it will just be a change from last year."

Record Watch
Redshirt senior infielder Kevin Zak heads into this weekend with 38 career doubles, which is tied for the seventh-most in program history. Zak needs one double to tie Tim Smith ('89) for sixth all-time, two to match Jon Visser ('98) for fifth all-time, and a total of four would tie current GVSU assistant coach Cody Grice. The Novi, Michigan native is also eight assists away from breaking Tony Pfennig's ('03) school record (471).

Best in Show, Again
For a second consecutive week, Zak was named the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week. His .727 batting average, .818 on-base percentage, eight hits, four runs and three runs batted earned him NCBWA Midwest Region Player of the Week honors as well.

Still Going
Senior outfielder Jamie Potts enters this weekend riding a 30-game on-base streak, while junior first baseman Josh Griffith is on a 12-game on-base streak.

Doubling Down
Through games played on March 16, the Lakers rank tied for seventh among Division II clubs in doubles per game (2.69); they have a total of 34 this year.

Odds & Ends
GVSU is 6-0 this season when scoring first, 6-1 when scoring in the first inning, 4-1 when recording a five-plus-run inning, 6-1 in 9-inning games, and 4-1 in one-run games.