Box Score

ROLLA, MO  —  Missouri S&T chipped away at multiple deficits, cutting into Grand Valley State's lead and making it a one run late, but the Lakers held on in the end as the Miners fell 9-6 on Friday afternoon.

Grand Valley State capitalized on early opportunities in the opening inning. After a pair of Miner errors allowed the Lakers to put runners in scoring position, Grand Valley State plated two runs on a groundout and an RBI double to take a 2-0 lead. The Lakers added another run in the third inning on a groundout to extend the margin to 3-0.

Missouri S&T broke through in the fifth inning and began to swing momentum back toward the home side. Will Muench (Wentzville, MO/Timberland) started the rally with a single and later came around to score along with Drew Baugus (Kirkwood, MO/Kirkwood) when Garrett Meyer (Jacksonville, IL/Jacksonville) ripped a two-run double into the left-center gap, trimming the deficit to 3-2 before GVSU pitcher Collin Bradley put an end to the inning.

Grand Valley State answered with a run in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead. The Miners got a lead off single by Denton Damgaard (Colorado Springs, CO/Cheyenne Mountain HS) in the bottom of the inning, laying down a perfect bunt that stayed just fair foul like to allow the first baseman to reach. A sacrifice bunt by Aiden Cizek (Wildwood, MO/Lafayette) put Damgaard in position to score with only one out, but groundouts in the following two at bats prevented him from crossing home plate.

The Lakers added a trio of runs in the top of the seventh, scoring all three with two outs on the board. S&T continued their offensive success in the seventh, with Bricen Smith (Perry, GA/Mount de Sales Academy) reaching on a single and Meyer following with a base hit. Will Beckham (Mountain Home, AR/Mountain Home) delivered a clutch two-run double to left center to score both runners and pull Missouri S&T within three at 7-4.

The Miners continued their comeback effort in the eighth inning. Cory Chostner (Columbia, MO/Hickman) was hit by a pitch to start the frame, with a walk and another hit by pitch in the following at bats loading the bases for the Miners with 0 outs. Chostner would score when Smith lined an RBI single down the left-field line, then Meyer followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Muench, cutting the deficit to 7-6 and putting the tying run on base.

Grand Valley State managed to create separation again in the ninth, scoring twice to push its lead back to three runs before closing out the game in three at bats in bottom of the ninth.

Missouri S&T finished with nine hits on the afternoon, led by Smith who went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Meyer had a strong day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Beckham drove in two runs with his seventh-inning double. Additionally, Damgaard added two more hits for the Miners.

On the mound, Jake Schisler (Quincy, IL/Quincy Notre Dame) worked 6.2 innings and allowed just two earned runs, allowing five hits before turning the game over to the bullpen. Jack Mannien had a strong showing in 1.2 innings on the mound, entering and getting out of a situation with two runners on and no outs in the eighth.

What's Next
The Miners fall to 6-4 on the season and will look to bounce back as the series continues against Grand Valley State on Saturday at 2pm.

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