May 4, 2005

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State swept a GLIAC doubleheader from Northwood Wednesday afternoon at the GVSU Baseball Field. GVSU won game one by a 14-9 margin and completed the sweep with an 8-1 win in game two. GVSU won three-of-four games from the Timberwolves this season. The Lakers, which moved into first-place with the sweep, improved to 26-12 overall and 17-7 in GLIAC action.

Grand Valley State opened the bottom of the first with a first-pitch triple by senior 2B Scott Smith. Senior 3B Scott Allen followed with a single to put the Lakers up 1-0. Following a walk by sophomore catcher Nick Smith, junior RF Nick Sandy drove a pitch to center that sailed over the head of NU's centerfielder. Sandy rounded the bases and slid in for the Lakers' first inside the park HR since former Laker great Doug Lipinski accomplished the feat in 1997. Northwood rallied with three runs in the second off starting pitcher Jeff Sinicki on five hits, but the Lakers scored two in the bottom of the third off four hits. Sandy singled in N. Smith who doubled with one out and Sandy then scored on a single by 1B Chad Rohacs. GVSU upped its lead to 9-3 with three runs in the fourth. Allen doubled in S. Smith and Sandy homered again to plate Allen. The Lakers added two runs in the fifth on four hits. CF Brandon McFarland doubled in S. Smith and then scored himself on a N. Smith single to up the Laker lead to 11-3. Northwood put up six runs on three hits in the top of the sixth to pull within two (11-9). GVSU put the finishing touches on the Timberwolves with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth. S. Smith singled in DH Nate Secor who opened the inning with a single and Allen plated Pat Radde and S. Smith with a double. GVSU pounded out 20 hits in the game as every Laker that batted notched a hit. Sandy was 4-4 with two HR and six RBIs, while S. Smith went 4-5 with four runs scored. Allen went 3-5 with four RBIs, two runs scored and two doubles. Allen's second double tied him for the career lead with 40. N. Smith and Clay Ackerman each collected two hits. Senior Nate McCrory picked up his first win of the year in 3.1 innings of releif. McCrory yielded two hits and one run with three strikeouts. Matt Middleton picked up his first save of the year.

Game two was much of the same as the Lakers scored in each of the first four innings. Allen singled to center with one out and advanced on a passed ball. Allen then advanced to third on a wild pitch and McFarland walked and then stole second. N. Smith followed with a single to right to plate Allen and McFarland. Allen drove in a pair of runs in the second with a single to put the Lakers up 4-0. 1B Chad Rohacs opened the third with a solo HR before S. Smith and Allen each recorded run scoring singles. Allen's RBI was his seventh on the day. GVSU added a run in the fourth to take an 8-0 lead. LHP Grant Payton picked up his team-best seventh win of the year (7-2) in 5.2 innings of work. Payton yielded five hits and one unearned run with six strikeouts. Allen went 3-4 with three RBIs, while Nick Smith and Chad Rohacs each collected a pair of hits.

Grand Valley State will hit the road for the final GLIAC series of the year this Saturday (May 6 and 7) at Mercyhurst.