They knew they’d break out of it — it was just a matter of when.

Struggling offensively thus far this season, the Grand Valley State University baseball team broke out of their offensive slump, taking three of four from then-GLIAC leading Saginaw Valley State University this weekend.

“I know a lot of people have been putting the pressure on themselves, but now that we’re starting to hit, we’re all a lot more confident,” said sophomore first basemen Giancarlo Brugoni. “We kind of knew we we’re going to hit and that kind of takes the pressure off.”

Aside from the Lakers’ (18-10, 8-6 GLIAC) tough-luck 2-0 loss in game one, the team’s offense seems to have found its groove. Led by Brugoni’s two home runs in the finale on Saturday, GVSU gained the 9-6 and 6-4 Saturday sweep of Saginaw Valley (12-13, 9-5 GLIAC), in large part due to the way they ended Friday’s set.

With the game knotted at one, senior catcher Jared Cowan’s one-out double in the eighth scored senior outfielder Steve Anderson and gave the Lakers a 3-2 lead. Junior closer Brad Zambron locked things up in bottom of the frame with his seventh save, putting him atop the conference.

“Great testament to our kids and their ability to hang in there and take things one game at a time,” said head coach Steve Lyon. “We hit the ball relatively hard and made them make plays, that’s part of offense — capitalizing on other teams mistakes.”

As the season rolls on, the team will be playing more games in a week. Rather than the weekend-only series they’ve played for the majority of the season, the team will be playing midweek games as well, meaning more innings for the pitching staff.

“Offensively it’ll be to our advantage, the guys have good rhythm and get a lot of at bats,” Lyon said. “Pitching-
wise, we’re going to rely on these guys going on three days rest. Our bullpen is going to have to be ready.”

Those pitchers, who Lyon said, one through four, are as good as anyone, put together as strong a weekend as they have this season. Senior Kyle Schepel, who allowed only two runs in the team’s lone loss, paired with fellow seniors Ryan Garman and Cory Baker and junior Anthony Campanella to lead the charge from the mound.

That offense is still going to have to remain consistent, and with the success the team saw on Saturday, they’re confident even with the schedule thickening.

“It helps a lot, definitely, having no off time really helps our team,” Brugoni said. “I think, (Saturday) especially, we really tried to stay within ourselves, we did the little things.”

Little things are what has helped the Lakers claw their way to within two games of GLIAC-leading Wayne State University. The Lakers will hope to continue their improving play on Tuesday when they host Hillsdale College for a doubleheader.

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