April 15, 2007

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - #5 Grand Valley State (27-2, 15-1 GLIAC) scored seven runs, all with two outs, in the third inning of game two against Wayne State (18-15, 7-7 GLIAC) to take game four 12-4 and sweep the weekend series from the Warriors. SS Dan Skirka drove in a game-high four runs for the Lakers in the win. The four wins make GVSU 43-1 in its last 44 GLIAC contests, as the Lakers own a 15-1 mark in 2007 after rolling off 28 straight to end the year in 2006. The Lakers will host Northwood on Wednesday, April 18 in a doubleheader beginning at 2 pm at the Laker Baseball Field.

Freshman right-hander Danny Richard got the start for the Lakers and was perfect in the first inning striking out the first two batters he faced before making a great defensive play to help himself out. Richard bounced off the mound on a ball hit by CF Tony Hines down the third base line, Richard fielded the ball then fired a dart to first base to get the speedy Hines and end the inning. The Warriors got to Richard in the top of the second scoring on a squeeze play with runners at second and third and an RBI double down the left field line to take a 2-0 lead.

The Laker offense went down similarily in the bottom of the first before regaining its composure in the bottom of the second. After C Nick Smith was hit by a pitch, DH Casey Robrahn singled through the right side but not in the traditional manner. Robrahn somehow managed to break his aluminum bat in the process as the barrell of the bat flew down the third base line as he scampered to first. LF Steve Strutz did some damage of his own on the next pitch as he sent starter Dane Little's offering deep to right field for his third home run as a Laker to give Grand Valley the 3-2 lead. GVSU would tack on another run in the inning as CF Pat Radde tallied a two-out single to center field before SS Dan Skirka laced a ball down the right field line to score Radde from first. Skirka was gunned down at third trying to stretch a double into a triple.

Richard settled down in the third inning as he did not allow another hit through the rest of his outing. The Lakers tacked on a few more runs for Richard's cause in the third inning. After back-to-back strikeouts by 3B Lee VanStreain and 2B Spud McKenzie, WSU starter Dane Little appeared to have regained his composure after his four run second. RF Derek Hinke worked Little to a full count before drawing a two out walk to start a huge rally for the Lakers. C Nick Smith strolled to the plate next and absolutely crushed a ball to right field for his second home run of the season. The two runs would not be the last of the inning for the Lakers as DH Casey Robrahn singled through the right side before Strutz and 1B Cory Maguire drew walks to load the bases for CF Pat Radde. Brady Cooper would replace Little to face Radde who singled through the right side to plate Robrahn and Strutz and give GVSU an 8-2 advantage. Skirka stepped to the plate as the ninth batter in the inning and picked up his second home run of the day, a three run shot down the right field line that curved around the foul pole to give Grand Valley an 11-2 lead.

The Lakers tacked on another run in the fifth on an RBI groundout by pinch hitter Scott Cain for a 10 run advantage (12-2). The Warriors picked up single runs in the sixth and seventh innings for the final tally of 12-4.

Richard improves to 3-0 on the year, throwing five solid innings allowing two runs on just three hits while ringing up a career-high eight strikeouts. Skirka paced the Lakers at the plate going 3-4 in the game with one run and four RBIs. Strutz was a perfect 2-2 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBIs, while Smith and Radde added two RBIs apiece.

The Lakers will take on Northwood in a GLIAC doubleheader on Wednesday, April 18 at 2 pm at the Laker Baseball Field. Fans can follow all the action on the Grand Valley Sports Network (GVSN) and on GameTracker.