May 5, 2007

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State (37-7, 24-6 GLIAC) dropped a GLIAC baseball doubleheader, 6-3 and 7-1, to #17 Ashland (36-13, 22-3 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon in Allendale as both Nick Beach and Danny Richard suffered their first losses of the season. The Lakers left a combined 19 runners on in the two games and committed four errors en route to dropping just their second doubleheader of the season. GVSU and Ashland will meet again tomorrow at 12 pm in another GLIAC doubleheader to wrap up the regular season.

The Lakers fell behind early in the afternoon as Ashland tallied an unearned run in the first on an RBI single by Casey Jirsa. GVSU answered in its half of the first as SS Dan Skirka led off by ripping a home run to left field to tie the game at one. Lee VanStreain followed by slapping a double into the left field corner then moved to third on an errant throw by the pitcher on an attempted pickoff move. Spud McKenzie gave the Lakers their lone lead of the day on a groundout to the second baseman to give Grand Valley the 2-1 lead.

Ashland regained the lead in the second scoring three more unearned runs as SS Chris Haycox singled in a run and 2B Justin Randall doubled in a pair to give Ashland the 4-2 lead. The Eagles tacked on another pair of runs in the fifth on a two run homer to take a 6-2 lead. The Lakers had a chance in the bottom half of the fifth loading the bases with two outs. Casey Robrahn grounded into an inning ending fielder's choice to stop the Lakers' chances.

The Lakers were able to pick up a single run in the sixth but were once again left wanting more. Pat Radde and Cory Maguire led off the inning with back-to-back singles before Matt Nickels dropped down a bunt that hit the ground in front of the diving third baseman, Casey Jirsa. Jirsa rose to his feet and threw out Nickels at first base in a very close play that put runners at second and third with one out. Radde would score on the next play when the Ashland catcher dropped a pitch and moved Maguire to third. A fly out and a strike out would end the inning for the Lakers and end any chance of a comeback.

GVSU fell behind early in game two as well giving up three runs in the top half of the first allowing four hits, while walking and hitting a batter in the frame. Danny Richard was able to get out of a bases loaded one out jam though, forcing the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Ashland then took advantage of a pair of Laker miscues in the second scoring a run without picking up a hit for the 4-0 lead. The Lakers got one back in the second when Pat Radde doubled to left and then scored when Cory Maguire singled down the left field line in the very next at bat.

The run would be the last of the day for the Lakers as they were unable to come up with the timely hits to narrow the margin. Ashland added a two run home run in the third and a sacrifice fly in the fourth for the final 7-1 tally. SS Dan Skirka was the lone bright spot for the Lakers at the plate going 6-8 on the afternoon with a run scored and a run driven in. Pat Radde and Cory Maguire were each 3-6 on the day as Radde crossed the plate twice.

GVSU and Ashland will face off once again tomorrow in another doubleheader beginning at 12 pm to wrap up the regular season. With the two wins today, Ashland has locked up the number one seed in the GLIAC tournament to be played next weekend in Midland, Mich. The Lakers have punched their card for the tournament with their 24-6 overall league mark and will face the #3 seed Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State next Thursday in the first round of the GLIAC tournament.