April 26, 2003

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State swept a GLIAC doubleheader from Gannon on Saturday by scores of 6-0 and 2-1. The Lakers scored all of their runs for the day in two innings, as they exploded for six in the fourth inning of game one, and Bobbi Conner hit a two-run home run in the second inning of game two. Jennifer Mackson and Kristin Jenner allowed only one run while striking out 19 on the day. GVSU is now 40-4 on the year and 15-1 in the GLIAC, and marks the seventh straight season the Lakers have won at least 40 games.

Mackson threw a one-hit shutout to improve to 22-2 on the year in game one. GVSU's offensive attack in the fourth inning started with a double by Jennifer Goldschmeding. After a Sara Vroegindewey walk, Rachel Blain clubbed her third home run of the season to give the Lakers a 3-0 lead. Bobbi Conner continued the action with a single, and Stacy Brayton reached first on an errant pitch after striking out. Erin Ballinger followed with an RBI single, and the last two runs scored on a triple by Tara Marsh. Marsh was the only Laker with two hits in the game.

In game two, Conner gave the Lakers a quick 2-0 lead with her first home run of the season in the second inning. Jenner (14-1) held the Golden Knights scoreless until the lead off batter in the sixth hit a solo home run to cut the lead to 2-1. Mackson relieved Jenner and did not allow a run in the final two innings of work to pick up her NCAA DII leading eighth save of the season.

GVSU will finish the regular season with a doubleheader at Mercyhurst on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Since the Lakers have a two-game lead on Wayne State in the conference standings, with only two games to play, Grand Valley has been guaranteed the top spot in the GLIAC tournament next weekend.