Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University secured a 5-1 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the opening round of the GLIAC Tournament. This win improves GVSU's record to 40-10 for the season. The team will face off against the winner of the Wayne State-Parkside game on Friday at 7 p.m. The Lakers have a strong track record at Jackson Field in Lansing, Michigan, boasting a 12-4 all-time record and winning 19 out of their last 20 games there. This marks the eighth time in program history that GVSU has achieved a 40-win season, with the last occurrence being in 2012.

Senior right-handed pitcher Jayden Dentler played a key role by allowing just one run on seven hits and striking out four batters over eight innings. Despite Saginaw Valley State's attempt to rally with runners on second and third base in the third inning, Dentler managed to escape without further damage through an infield fly and a strikeout.

The Laker offense capitalized on this momentum by scoring five runs in the bottom half of the third inning from three hits. Right fielder Ryan Stimac initiated this offensive surge with a walk and scored on third baseman Caleb Estrada's double. Shortstop Evan Morrison walked, followed by left fielder Ryan Dykstra singling home Estrada. First baseman Jovan Gill then tripled to bring home Morrison and Dykstra, while catcher Brendan Guciardo added another run with a groundout.

Dentler’s performance brought his season record to an impressive 11-0, tying him for second place in single-season wins alongside former Laker Kyle Schepel.

Gill ended the game going 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a triple; Estrada was also 1-for-3 with one RBI and a double; Dykstra contributed by going 1-for-3 with an RBI; Guciardo drove in one run as well; second baseman Ayden VanEnkevort went 2-for-3.