May 9, 2008

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - Starting pitcher Brad Raj tossed a complete-game gem, while 1B Cory Maguire provided the offense with a grand slam in the sixth as Grand Valley State claimed a 5-2 win over Wayne State in a winners bracket game at the 2008 GLIAC Tournament. GVSU now advances to its fifth straight GLIAC Tournament title game set for 12 noon Saturday (May 10) at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan.

Wayne State struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the third on three hits. C Mike Wiseman hit a two-run double to leftcenter to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead. WSU starting pitcher Dane Little kept the Lakers off balance until the sixth when CF Matt Nickels led off with a single to left.2B Josh Hillyard followed with a bunt single and LF Casey Robrahn then added a one-out single to right to load the bases. Maguire then launched his first career grand slam over the wall in right center to give GVSU a 4-2 lead. DH Pat Radde provided a one-out solo HR in the seventh to up the Laker lead to 5-2.

Raj yielded just two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts in his complete-game win. Maguire was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, while Nickels, Hillyard and Radde each provided two hits.

Grand Valley State improved to 14-1 in GLIAC Tournament play since 2003, including 13 straight tournament wins. GVSU won the 2004, 2005 and 2007 tournament tiles. The 2003 and 2006 tournament were called due to weather.