Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) achieved a decisive 31-8 victory over the fifth-ranked Indianapolis team on Friday afternoon at New Palestine High School. The Lakers, now holding a record of 5-2, amassed 21 hits during the game, including six doubles and one home run. They also reached base 11 times through walks and were hit by pitches seven times. This performance ranks as the second-highest single-game score in GVSU history, just behind their 36-run game against Concordia-Ann Arbor on April 10, 1998. It marks the highest number of runs scored against a Division II opponent.

The Lakers started strong with four runs in the first inning thanks to three doubles from Ryan Dykstra, Jovan Gill, and Caleb Estrada. Indianapolis responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. By the second inning's end, Indianapolis had tied the game at four runs each.

In the third inning, GVSU regained control with two more runs after Jonas Gulbrandsen was hit by a pitch and Brendan Guciardo doubled. Estrada singled to bring home Gulbrandsen, and Guciardo later scored on a wild pitch.

GVSU continued to build their lead with additional runs in subsequent innings. In the fourth inning, both Gill and Guciardo drove in runs for GVSU before Indianapolis managed to tie again with four runs in their half of that inning.

The sixth inning saw another surge from GVSU as they added four more runs. Dykstra opened with a double followed by an RBI from Gill. Gulbrandsen then hit his fourth home run of the year—a two-run shot—and Zach Warren brought home another run with a single.

A nine-run eighth inning for GVSU widened their lead significantly. The Lakers capitalized on errors and hits to extend their advantage further into what became an insurmountable lead.

Colby Phipps earned the win for GVSU by pitching 3.1 innings in relief without allowing significant hits while striking out three batters. Will Goebel contributed five strikeouts over two innings while yielding only one hit.

Key performances included Morrison reaching base six times with five runs scored; Dykstra contributing four hits, including three doubles; Gill scoring five times; Gulbrandsen adding his fourth homerun of the season; and Estrada driving in five RBIs.

The teams are set to meet again on Saturday at New Palestine High School for another matchup scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by Sunday's doubleheader beginning at noon.