Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's baseball team faced a setback in their opening game at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional, losing to Maryville with a final score of 8-5. This defeat means GVSU will compete against the host team, Indianapolis, on Friday morning at 11 a.m. in an elimination match. The Lakers recently claimed the GLIAC Tournament Championship and are participating in an NCAA Regional for the first time since 2016.

Maryville initially led with two runs from a home run in the fourth inning. However, GVSU's designated hitter Jonas Gulbrandsen responded with his twelfth home run of the year in the fifth inning, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Despite Maryville extending their lead to 4-1 by the sixth inning, GVSU reduced it again in the seventh when Connor Schuman hit a single that allowed Gulbrandsen to score.

The Saints added another run in their half of the seventh inning, making it 5-2. Nevertheless, GVSU managed to level the score at 5-5 in the eighth inning. First baseman Logan Anderson's single and third baseman Jake Rydquist's walk set up Ayden VanEnkevort’s double that scored both runners. VanEnkevort attempted to stretch his double into a triple but was thrown out at third base. Center fielder Kyle Nott then singled and scored after Gulbrandsen’s hit tied the game.

However, Maryville sealed their victory with a three-run home run during their turn at bat in the eighth inning.

Nick Rutkowski started as pitcher for GVSU, allowing four runs on four hits over five innings. Relief pitcher Logan Wynalda took over for 2.1 innings, conceding two runs on two hits. Notable performances included VanEnkevort going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs; Gulbrandsen went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs; Nott was 1-for-4 with one run scored; catcher Brendan Guciardo finished 2-for-4; Schuman contributed an RBI from his one hit; and Anderson also went 1-for-4 scoring once.