Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University secured victories in a doubleheader against Roosevelt University during a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) baseball match on Saturday, April 12. The Lakers won the first game 6-1 and the second 10-0, setting a strong tone for their season. Currently holding a 27-9 overall record, the team is also 10-5 in GLIAC play. They are set to face Roosevelt again in the series finale on Sunday, April 13.

In the first game, GVSU's sophomore pitcher Owen Avery delivered a notable performance, securing his fourth win with a 4-2 record. Avery allowed only one run and three hits, striking out six in six innings. Sophomore Zach Warren contributed by managing a hitless seventh inning.

Offensively, the Lakers capitalized on Roosevelt's errors, scoring six unearned runs across four hits. Among the players, Senior Ryan Dykstra went 1-1 with one RBI, and Caleb Estrada contributed with a hit, an RBI, and a run scored.

The second game saw Senior Collin Bradley leading the defense, allowing only three hits and striking out seven over seven innings. Bradley's pitching kept the opposing team from advancing past second base. The Lakers' offense was spearheaded by outstanding plays. Shortstop Evan Morrison set the pace by walking and scoring early in the game, and then by hitting a solo homer in the fourth inning. Furthermore, freshman Caden Thelen significantly contributed with a triple that brought in three runs during the bottom of the fifth, extending the Lakers' lead to 7-0.

Grand Valley continued to build on their lead, adding three more runs in the seventh inning, securing the run-rule victory. Thelen's performance was noted with his 3-4 hits, including a double and a triple, and four RBIs. Dykstra also stood out, collecting three hits and an RBI from his four at-bats.

Both Thelen and Dykstra were pivotal in GVSU's offense, which demonstrated effective coordination on Saturday, with multiple players contributing to their decisive victories.