ALLENDALE, Mich. – Parkside fell twice to No. 7 Grand Valley State on Friday, dropping a 2-0 decision in game one before the Lakers used a late comeback to claim a 7-5 walk-off win in game two.
Game 1
Grand Valley wasted little time getting on the board in the first inning. With two outs, Jovan Gill doubled to left and Caleb Estrada followed with an RBI single to right, giving the Lakers an early 1-0 lead.
The Lakers added their second run in the fourth after Jake Skaggs singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on Will Bowen's sacrifice bunt, and scored on Nick Krstich's sacrifice fly to right, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Parkside's best scoring opportunity came in the fifth when
Angel Rades walked and
Nolan Maciejewski singled to put two runners aboard, but Grand Valley starter Owen Avery worked out of trouble to maintain the shutout.
Nathan Hanel added a two-out single in the seventh, but Ethan Houghtaling sealed the win to earn the save.
Keegan Waters started for the Rangers and took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits over four innings while striking out three.
Mateo Fuentes provided strong relief, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out two while not allowing a hit.
Dylan Sayles,
Nolan Maciejewski, and
Nathan Hanel each recorded hits for Parkside, but the Rangers were limited to just three total as Grand Valley secured the series-opening doubleheader win.
Game 2
Parkside struck first in the third inning when
John St. Clair was hit by a pitch,
Nolan Maciejewski singled, and
Benjamin Loyd delivered an RBI single to right to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
Grand Valley answered in the fourth as Josh Fleming tripled and Jake Skaggs followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.
The Rangers responded with a two-run fifth. St. Clair walked and Maciejewski singled before
Dylan Sayles ripped an RBI single to left. Moments later, Sayles stole second and Maciejewski broke for home on the throw, swiping home plate to cap an aggressive inning and put Parkside ahead 3-1.
Parkside added two more in the sixth to build what looked like a comfortable cushion.
Noah Goddard singled,
Joe Mrowiec followed with a bunt single, and after a sacrifice advanced both runners,
John Wubben drove in a run with a groundout. Mrowiec later scored on a wild pitch, stretching the lead to 5-1.
Grand Valley began its rally in the eighth when Ayden Vanenkevort singled, Jovan Gill doubled him home, and Caleb Estrada added an RBI double to cut the deficit to 5-3.
In the ninth, the Lakers completed the comeback. After a leadoff walk and single, Grand Valley loaded the bases with another walk. Vanenkevort and Gill each delivered sacrifice flies to tie the game before Estrada ended it with a two-run walk-off homer to left, sealing the dramatic 7-5 victory.
Maciejewski paced Parkside offensively, going 3-for-5 and scoring once, while Sayles finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Loyd added an RBI, and St. Clair scored twice while reaching base four times.
Donovan Dykas started for Parkside, allowing one run over 3.2 innings.
Peter Mulhern and
Michael Merline combined to steady the game through the middle innings, but Grand Valley's late offensive surge spoiled the Rangers' upset bid.
Up Next
Parkside wraps up its series against the Lakers tomorrow, May 2, with first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
For all things Parkside Baseball and links to live coverage, visit
ParksideRangers.com/coverage .
