Romeoville, Illinois – Battling for a spot in the NCAA Midwest Regional, every game is critical, and the Grand Valley State baseball team picked up an important in-region win at Lewis on Tuesday (April 28) evening. The No. 14 Lakers built an early lead, turned to their bullpen to shut down a late rally, and added a pair of runs late to seal a 6-3 victory.
 
A two-out hit by pitch put redshirt senior shortstop Kevin Zak gave GVSU its first runner of the opening frame. After Zak stole second, senior outfielder Jamie Potts shot a single down the right field line, plating the first run of the game.
 
Lewis came back with a run in the third, but the Lakers regained their lead with a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
 
Senior outfielder Aaron Overbeck led off the fourth with a double, only to be retired on a fielder's choice. Following a single by senior Jesse Abel, junior catcher John McLaughlin smacked a double to left field, driving in a run.
 
The next inning, a single by Zak and double by Potts put a pair in scoring position for Overbeck, who lined out to third. With two outs, sophomore utility player Matt Williams shot a ball toward third base, and an error allowed Zak to score. However, Potts was tagged out by the Flyers' third baseman, ending the frame.
 
As starting pitcher Josh Griffith continued to strand Lewis baserunners, the Lakers made it a three-run game. An Abel walk and McLaughlin sacrifice bunt gave them an early RBI opportunity. Senior outfielder Mike Nadratowski's second triple of the season scored Abel.
 
Griffith gave way to senior reliever Kevin Hallberg in the bottom of the sixth, closing out his two-hit, four-walk, one-run stat line. Hallberg cruised through his first two innings, setting down the Flyers in order. However, he ran into some trouble in the third, as Lewis strung together a walk, two singles and was the benefactor of a wild pitch en route to a two-run frame.
 
Williams took over for Hallberg with two outs in the eighth, inducing a fly out to halt the Flyer comeback.
 
GVSU's insurance runs came courtesy of singles by Potts, Williams and McLaughlin, coupled with sacrifice bunts by Overbeck and Abel. Lewis got to Williams in the ninth, but senior left fielder Mitchell Kozlowski gunned down a runner at third with one out, allowing his closer to rest easy and fan the final batter of the game.
 
Griffith improved to 2-0, while Williams collected his ninth save of the year. Continuing his recent tear, Potts finished 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. McLaughlin also tallied three hits, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Nadratowski, Overbeck and Williams recorded two hits apiece.
 
The win lifts GVSU's overall record to 28-14. The Lakers return to action this weekend, when they close out GLIAC play at Malone. First pitch for Saturday's (May 2) doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. EDT; Sunday's (May 3) twinbill will begin at 12 p.m. EDT.