Box Score             #22 Grand Valley State used an eight-run sixth inning to rally and defeat Wayne State College 12-8 Sunday morning in the Wildcats' final game at the Russ Matt Baseball Invitational in Davenport, Florida.  The Lakers improve to 8-5 with the win while WSC drops to 12-6 on the season.
            It was a quick start for the Wildcats scoring eight runs in the first two innings to grab an 8-3 lead.
            The Lakers opened the top of the first with two runs, but Wayne State responded with a five-run first inning thanks to five hits.  Colin Lynam's RBI double to center field scoring leadoff batter Cam Madsen, who opened the game with a single. 
            Later in the inning, senior shortstop Quinn McCafferty dropped down a bases-loaded bunt to score Lynam for the second run.  Braden Cannon then followed with a three-run homer to left field scoring Trey Wells (single) and McCafferty for a 5-2 Wildcat lead.
            Grand Valley State scored one run in the top of the second to cut the WSC lead to 5-3, but Wayne State put together a two-out rally and used another three-run homer to take an 8-3 advantage.  A walk to Cade Lynam and hit batter to Colin Lynam set up Wells for a three-run blast to left field putting the 'Cats in front by five.
            Neither team scored the next two innings keeping the score 8-3 entering the fifth inning.
            A solo homer by GVSU cut Wayne State's lead to 8-4, but the Lakers produced eight runs in the sixth inning on six hits with three walks and a hit batter by Wildcat pitching to take control of the game.
            Once Grand Valley State got the lead, the Lakers' bullpen held WSC to just two hits over the final 6 1/3 innings not allowing a Wildcat comeback.
            Grand Valley State had 14 hits to 10 for Wayne State.  Wells finished 2 for 5 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored.  Madsen also had two hits for the Wildcats with a pair of singles.  Cannon had a three-run homer while Nick Barnett doubled and Colin Lynam doubled and scored twice.
            Nathan Anderson started the game on the hill for Wayne State, working 5 1/3 innings and notching six strikeouts.  Reliever Kolt Davis was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks.  Eli Crnkovich worked 2 2/3 innings of relief, giving up one run on two hits with three strikeouts.  Dylan Rodgers pitched the ninth inning and did not allow a hit with one walk.
            Wayne State resumes Northern Sun Conference play hosting the University of Mary in a four-game series starting with a nine-inning contest on Friday, March 22^nd at 1:30 p.m.