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March 2, 2003
Joplin, Mo. - Grand Valley State earned a split with Missouri Southern State as they won game two 7-1 on Sunday in Joplin, Mo. Phil Mixter threw a complete game three-hitter in his Laker debut on the mound and eight different Lakers contributed to the offensive attack with a hit. GVSU was also helped out by four wild pitches and three errors by the Lions, which led to five Laker runs. Mixter finished with five strikeouts as he took a no-hitter into the fifth. Ben Slein scored two runs and Nick Sandy drove in two runs to lead the offense.
The Lakers got off to a quick start as they loaded the bases with nobody out in the second inning but were unable to score. Instead the Lakers got on the board with two runs in the fifth. Slein led off the inning with a walk and stole second. Tony Pfennig pushed Slein to third with an infield single, and both ended up scoring on two consecutive wild pitches.
Missouri Southern answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning, when they loaded the bases with two walks and their first hit of the game, and scored on a groundout to second.
The Lakers responded with four runs in the sixth. After a single by Scott Allen, Joe Mertes doubled to get both into scoring position, and Sandy knocked them in with his first career hit. Ben Slein continued the attack with a single to left, and after the throw eluded the catcher, Sandy came home to score. Slein finished the scoring in the inning as he trotted home after a wild pitch.
GVSU tallied their last run on another wild pitch after Joe Brunink singled to lead off the inning and moved over to third on a stolen base and a groundout.
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The Lakers will continue with two games on Monday, starting with a morning matchup against South Dakota State and will follow with the rubber game against Missouri Southern in the afternoon.
