May 7, 2009

Box Score

Chillicothe, OH - Grand Valley State scored six runs in the bottom of the third on Thursday afternoon in GLIAC Tournament action and went on to claim a 6-4 victory over Northwood. GVSU (39-13-1) will play the winner of the Ashland-Wayne State game Friday at 12 noon at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Northwood took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first on two hits off starter Ben Knuth, and added a single run in the top of the second to take a 3-0 lead. The Lakers erupted for six runs in the bottom of the third on six hits. Freshman LF Cody Grice opened the inning with a single, followed by a single to left center that advanced Grice to third. Following a pop out, freshman DH Steve Anderson singled throught the left side to score Grice and load the bases. Junior 2B Kyle Gendron came to the plate and hit a towering 1-1 pitch over the fence in left center for a grand slam. 1B Cory Maguire followed with a solo shot to right for a 6-3 Laker lead.

Northwood answered with a single run in top of fourth to close out the scoring. The Timberwolves threatened in the seventh, but SS Brad Raj made a diving stop with runners on second and third to thwart the rally. Senior relief pitcher David Bowman picked up his third save in the last four games with a scoreless ninth.

Ben Knuth started the game and yielded four runs on seven hits. Joe Jablonski picked up the win with 4.1 innings of two-hit ball. Bowman yielded on hit in the ninth. Anderson, Gendron, Maguire and Hillyard each collected a pair of hits. Senior RB Scott Cain drove in one run with a single to right in the third.