After a slow start to the season, it finally looked like the Grand Valley State University baseball team had turned the corner.

Entering the season home opener, no team was hotter than GVSU (13-10, 7-3 GLIAC) as it had won seven of its last eight contests, which found them sitting at the top of the GLIAC standings.

However, inconsistent play and errors plagued GVSU in its first games in Allendale, as it dropped 3-2 and 8-3 decisions to Tiffin University.

“I’m disappointed in the way that we played,” said GVSU Head Coach Jamie Detillion. “I don’t feel like we competed very well. I think we’re a lot better team than what we showed, but it’s all about what you do in between the lines and today we just didn’t get it done.”

GVSU couldn’t overcome three errors in the first game, including one in the top of the third inning that fueled Tiffin’s two-run inning that gave it the lead for good.

“We made some costly mistakes that cost us the game,” said sophomore Kevin Zak who went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs in the 8-3 loss. “Tough losses, but we gotta bounce back to make adjustments and put this behind us and learn from it and try to get better.”

Senior Anthony Campanella (3-2) was given the loss after he worked seven innings and allowed one earned run.

In the second contest, Tiffin was able to get to GVSU junior Sean Clancy (2-4), who was responsible for five earned runs in four innings of work, including a five-run inning in the top of the fifth-inning, which gave Tiffin a 6-3 advantage. Tiffin would tack on two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh, and GVSU would make one final run at it, loading the bases but never getting the chance to capitalize on it.

“It’s more like a mindset at this point,” Detillion said. “It feels like we have a few situations come up and we’re not producing. For whatever reason, we’re not getting it done, but we just need to figure out a way.”

GVSU is still tied for the GLIAC lead in the loss column, as they boast a 7-3 GLIAC record and Ashland University holds an 8-3 conference record.

The Lakers have shown moments of dominance in the early part of the season, but they continue to search for some consistency.

“I think it all comes down to us relaxing,” said senior Chris Rudenga, who went 3-for-3 at the plate in the second game. “Everyone is too tense right now. Baseball is a relaxed game and you gotta be real patient at the plate and we are too tense up there. We want to win – we know we’re a good team. We’re just not doing it and not relaxed and not trusting ourselves.”

GVSU will look to take one game in the three-game series as it hosts Tiffin in a nine-inning contest at 1 p.m.

“It’s a long season, so there is plenty of time to get better,” Detillion said. “We just need to get better. We just need to get down to the basics and focus on winning each inning one at a time and focus on the process.”
[email protected]