March 29, 2008

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State started off its conference season in style, shutting out Mercyhurst in two straight games on Saturday. The No. 8 Lakers won 9-0 in game one and 4-0 in game two, and both games had great individual performances. In game one, Lori Andjelich threw a no-hitter and was just one base-runner away from a perfect game, while Kristin Moleski took the spotlight in game two, hitting the first home run at the new GVSU Softball Field to break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. GVSU is now 17-6 on the season and 2-0 in GLIAC play.

Grand Valley State was dominant in game one, scoring nine runs on 12 hits through four innings at the plate. Andjelich (7-3) was almost perfect on the mound, striking out four and allowing no runs or hits through five innings. MC's only baserunner came in the top of the fourth when Jessica McNurlen reached on an error. Moleski was great in game one, as well, going 2-2 at the plate with a walk, a run scored, and two more brought in.

GVSU started their scoring in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Moleski singled up th emiddle. Elizabeth Smith singled to right, sending Moleski to third. A single to center field by Rebecca Plummer scored Moleski and put Grand Valley State up 1-0. GVSU broke the game open in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on three hits. Breanne Kronberg singled down the right-field line to lead off the inning. Becky Rudenga walked and then Karen Walters singled to load the bases. After two outs, Moleski walked to score Kronberg and make the score 2-0. Smith singled up the middle to score two more runs before the inning came to and end with GVSU up 4-0.

Grand Valley tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Lisa Preuss singled to left field to start the inning and then went home on the next at-bat, a double to left-center by Kronberg. Rudenga then doubled to left-center on a near-identical play, putting runners on second and third. Sarah Holland singled with one out to send Kronberg home and Rudenga to third. Nichole Woityra singled and the left-fielder mishandled the ball on the play. Rudenga scored on the original hit and Holland came home on the misplay. Woityra made it all the way to third after the throw home. Moleski singled again, scoring Woityra and giving Grand Valley State a 9-0 lead after three innings, which held up until the game ended after four and one-half innings.

Game two was much closer, as Grand Valley State scored four runs, which all came in the last two innings, on seven hits. Stephanie Cole (7-2) pitched well, giving up just four hits while striking out seven in seven innings of work. Moleski was 2-3 with a walk and a home run. Her home run was the first ever hit at the new GVSU Softball Field.

Both pitchers kept the opposing team's offense in check and it wasn't until the top of the sixth inning that a number went on the scoreboard. Moleski hit a shot to right field the cleared the fence and put GVSU up 1-0, which would be all the run support that Cole needed. She got more in the top of the seventh, though, as GVSU scored three more runs on three hits and two errors.

Kronberg singled with one out to get things started. Then, an illegal pitch was called, sending Stephanee Schrader to first and Kronberg to second. With runners on first and third, Holland singled to right field, scoring one run. Woityra singled to third base with runners on second and third, and Karen Walters scored. When the first basemen couldn't hold onto the ball, Holland went home, as well, putting GVSU up by the final score of 4-0.