GVSU Falls In Midwest Regional Championship Game to End Season

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - was forced into a game two today by #11 Southern Indiana, as the two teams squared off in a winner-take-all elimination game to determine the Midwest Regional Champion and to determine who advanced to the NCAA Division II College World Series in Cary, N.C. Southern Indiana had taken the victory in the first game of the day, and then accomplished their last day rally with an 11-4 win in the nightcap over the Lakers.

The Screaming Eagles got out to a quick start, as they put up a run in the top of the first inning on an RBI single up the middle with one out to take a 1-0 lead. Grand Valley State responded in the bottom half of the frame, however, as Cody Grice reached on an error and then Andrew Trepel shot a single through the left side. After a strikeout, Cory Maguire reached on a fielder's choice, placing runners at first and third with two out. A wild pitch by USI starter Taylor Dennis then brought Grice in to tie the game and advance Maguire to second. A strikeout would end the inning, tied at one.

Southern Indiana did not let up though, as Brad Vance hit a 3-run homer in the top of the second to put the Screaming Eagles back on top, 4-1. Again, however, the Lakers answered, as Zach Laupp doubled to right field and advanced to third on an error, leading to a Cory Phillips RBI single to center field to cut the lead to 4-2 after two innings.

After a scoreless third, Southern Indiana again got on the board in the top of the fourth, as Vance singled home his fourth run of the day to put the Screaming Eagles up 5-2. The back-and-forth action continued in the bottom of the fourth, as the Lakers loaded the bases with nobody out after a Steve Anderson single and Torre Aguirre double put runners at second and third. Paul Young then hit a dribbler to the mound that the pitcher went home with, despite Anderson not coming home on the hit, so Young was safe at first to load the bases. Laupp then drove one run in on a fielder's choice, as he beat out the double play attempt to make it a 5-3 game with runners at first and third with one out. A double play by the next hitter ended the inning, getting the Screaming Eagles out of trouble.

Again Southern Indiana kept the pressure on, as a Wandy Rosario bunt led to a throw-away that advanced Rosario to third. An RBI single to center field then pushed the lead out to 6-3 USI after five innings. The Screaming Eagles would add two more in the top of the sixth and three in the top of the seventh to make the score 11-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Lakers put two runners on with one out, and Grice hit a chopper up the middle into center field scoring Laupp from second to make it an 11-4 game. The hit marked Grice's 100th hit of the season as he became the first player in GLIAC history to reach triple digits in hits in a single season.

The Screaming Eagles shut things down for the rest of the game, however, as Southern Indiana took the 11-4 victory to advance to the NCAA Division II College World Series.

Joe Jablonski (8-3) took the loss for the Lakers, throwing five innings and allowing seven hits, six runs (four earned), and three walks while striking out four. On offense, Grice, Laupp, and Phillips all had one hit and one RBI.

Sophomore catcher Zach Laupp, sophomore outfielder Steve Anderson, junior designated hitter Torre Aguirre, and senior pitcher Jared Knuth were all named to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team.

Grand Valley State University ends its season with a 37-16 overall record.