May 11, 2007

Box Score

MIDLAND, Mich. - After knocking off the tournament's top seed on day one of the GLIAC Championships, Mercyhurst ran into the second seed, Grand Valley State, and dropped a 6-3 score on the second day of the tournament. With the loss, Mercyhurst will face the winner of the Ashland/Saginaw Valley State game at 4:00 p.m.

Mercyhurst (32-19) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, when Joe Luli singled to centerfield to score Jamie Walczak.

Derek Hinke stroked a two-run single in the bottom of the inning, however, as Grand Valley (41-7) took a 2-1 lead. GVSU extended the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third with run scoring base hits by Spud McKenzie and Hinke.

The score stayed 4-1 until a Cory Maguire doubled in a run and later scored on a throwing error to make it 6-1.

Mercyhurst tried to mount a comeback in the ninth when John Blike and Sean Weyant singled and scored on a Dan Bertolini base hit to cut it to 6-3, but GVSU pitcher Danny Richard got out of the jam with a line drive double play to end the game.

Brian Espersen took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits and three walks. He struck out three as he fell to 5-4.

Blike turned in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Walczak went 2-for-3.

Richard improved to 6-1 with a complete game. He struck out five, walked one and scattered 10 hits.

Five players had two hits apiece for Grand Valley.

The two teams combined for 22 hits, but 21 were singles.