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March 7, 2005
Joplin, Mo. -
Grand Valley won both games of a doubleheader against Missouri Southern Monday night in Joplin, Mo. The Lakers won the first game 8-3 as Grant Payton pitched four scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and striking out four. Grand Valley scored two runs in the top of the eighth to win the second game in extra innings. Brandon McFarland went a combined six-for-seven on the night while reaching base in every at bat. The Lakers return to action Tuesday (Mar. 8) at 7:30 pm ET against Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan.
The Lakers won the first game of their doubleheader with Missouri Southern thanks in large part to good hitting and a great pitching performance. Payton continued his shutout streak in his second appearance of the season. Payton has allowed only two hits, no runs and struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting a meager .105 against him this year. The Lakers started the scoring in the third when Scott Smith scored from first on a hit and run executed perfectly by Scott Allen. Allen connected on a pitch and sent it into right field, Smith reached third and was then able to score when the relay throw was mishandled by the second baseman. Nick Smith and Chad Rohacs knocked in two runs apiece with back-to-back singles in the fifth inning. The Lakers added three more in the sixth when Ryan Lyster hit an RBI single up the middle and McFarland hit a two run double to right field. The Lions scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh but it was not enough as the Lakers held on for the 8-3 victory.
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Grand Valley continued its hot hitting in the second game by scoring three quick runs in the top of the first inning. Nick Smith, Rohacs, and Lee VanStreain all drove in a run during the inning. Casey Robrahn got the start for the Lakers going 2 2/3 innings giving up three runs (all unearned) and striking out five. Jeremy Dow made his first appearance of the year getting out of a jam in the third inning with one of his five strikeouts on the night, but not before Missouri Southern tied the game at three. The Lakers answered right back in the fourth when Grant Abraham scored from third on a pass ball. Grand Valley added one more run in the sixth when Nate Secor scored from second on Scott Allen's second RBI of the night. The Lions fought back in the bottom of the seventh by putting two runs on the board thanks in large part to a Landon Harris triple to deep right-center and a solo homerun to right field by Evan Bates. Grand Valley did not seem to be phased by the comeback as Rohacs drove in two with a single to right field. Joe Finnerty bounced back to pick up the win by pitching a scoreless eighth.
Rohacs finished the two games with a combined five RBI on only three hits. Nick Smith drove in three runs, while Allen and McFarland added two apiece. McFarland also crossed the plate three times on the night. Five Laker pitchers combined to allow zero earned runs over 10 2/3 innings of the 15 innings played.
Grand Valley improved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in extra-inning games. The Lakers travel to Pittsburg, Kan. Tuesday (Mar. 8), to take on the Gorillas of Pittsburg State in a single game at 7:30 pm ET. Wednesday (Mar. 9) Grand Valley will play a doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State in Pittsburg, Kan. before playing Northern State in Joplin, Mo. on Thursday (Mar. 10).
