LANSING, Mich. -- Despite dropping the first game on Sunday, the Wayne State University baseball team (42-11 overall) bounced back in the winner-take-all nightcap claiming the second GLIAC Tournament Championship in program history (2010). Grand Valley State (32-21) took the first game in 10 innings, 9-8, before the Warriors shut the door in game two, 4-2.
"Today featured everything this game has to offer," said head coach, Ryan Kelley. "Success, adversity, challenges, triumph, and more. However, the power of a team-first environment under the direction of our upperclassmen set the tone. Much respect and credit to GVSU, who battled with great intent today. After a competitive game one loss, Griffin Kilander delivered a historic performance on the mound. Special thanks to the GLIAC administration and Lansing Lugnuts' staff for creating a championship experience. Plus, we would like to thank our athletic department staff and team family members for their unparalleled support. A sincere thank you to a vast amount of WSU baseball alumni who were either in attendance or sent abundant messaging in support of this team. Our alumni paved the way for this group and we are standing on their shoulders today."
GAME ONE RECAP
Grand Valley State came back from an 8-1 deficit scoring two runs in the sixth, five in the seventh and the go-ahead run in the 10th.
Seth Marano (Canton, Mich.) made the start and lasted 5.2 innings (3 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB) before giving way to the Wayne State bullpen.
From there, Brennan Cox (Taylor, Mich. / Riverview Gabriel Richard) threw two-thirds, David Thurman (Southfield, Mich. / Detroit Edison) retired a batter and Ashton Potts (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson), saddled with the loss (1-1), was responsible for the final 3.1 frames.
GAME TWO RECAP
Not a bad time for Griffin Kilander (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) to go the distance for the first time in his career. Kilander, who improved to 7-3, did so on Sunday with 115 pitches against 35 batters. The sophomore right-hander gave up two earned runs on eight hits with two free passes and four punchouts.
Offensively, Wayne State struck first in the first with an RBI single from Chris Tanderys (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) scoring Ryan Foley (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline). Once Grand Valley State went ahead, 2-1, the Warriors put up a three spot in the seventh to seal it.
That half inning, Rudy Ramirez (Brighton, Mich.) made it a tie game with a single through the left side that brought in CJ Maury (Brampton, Ont. / Mayfield SS). Then, two batters later, Tony Hatzigeorgiou (Oxford, Mich.) came through with a bloop single to left allowing Hunter DeLanoy (Hartland, Mich.) and Ramirez to touch home.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
C: Brendan Guciardo, GVSU
2B: Ethan Imlach, PNW
3B: Jonas Gulbrandsen, GVSU
SS: Jayden Smith, PNW
OF: Hayden Matulich, PNW
OF: Kyle Nott, GVSU
UT: Connor Schuman, GVSU
UT: Ryan Brouch, UWP
SP: Ayden VanEnkevort, GVSU
RP: Josh Schell, GVSU
UP NEXT
The Warriors, who were ranked fourth in the previous NCAA Midwest Regional rankings, will see what the next step of the postseason looks like in Sunday night's NCAA Selection Show at 11 p.m.
The top team in the region will host a three-team regional and the two seed will host a four-team regional, both of which are double elimination and begin on Thursday, May 18.
