HAMMOND, Ind. – Ray Hilbrich's RBI double in the bottom of the ninth proved to be the only run Purdue Northwest would score in a 7-1 loss to Grand Valley State to open GLIAC play Friday at Dowling Park.

PNW (6-4, 0-1 GLIAC) got a brilliant performance from starting pitcher Anthony Noble (1-2), who went 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Noble, a sophomore from Plainfield, Ill., held the Lakers (4-6, 1-0 GLIAC) scoreless before giving up back-to-back run-scoring doubles with two outs in the seventh.

GVSU tacked on a run in the eighth and four more in the ninth.

Hilbrich would end the day going 2-for-4 with one RBI and would be accompanied in the hit column by Luke Montgomery and Anthony Fumagalli with one apiece.

Hilbrich now leads the Pride in hitting on the season with a .367 batting average (11-for-30).

Down 7-0 going into the bottom of the ninth, Montgomery recorded a leadoff single back up the middle. That ended a stretch that saw an out recorded on the previous 12 at-bats by Pride hitters.

Hilbrich then stepped to the plate and drilled a pitch to right center to plate Montgomery from first base.

Noble (0-1) was saddled with the tough loss after his solid performance. GVSU starter Nick Rutkowski picked up the win (1-1). The Lakers' right-hander went the distance with five strikeouts, four hits and only walk allowed in nine innings.

NEXT UP
Both teams will return to Dowling Park for a pair of seven-inning games Saturday afternoon.

First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT.