Last season, the Grand Valley State University baseball team found itself just a few games from a national championship at the NCAA Division II College World Series. Although the team was eliminated two games in, that experience is something fueling the team in their attempt to recapture that success this season.

“We have a lot of new guys, a lot of freshman and transfers, so I think we’re just trying to take away all the positives from last year and put them into this year,” said senior pitcher Kyle Schepel. “I think overall we’ve been playing pretty solid and were just trying to get rolling and get everyone used to each other.”

The team, which finished last season 52-5, opened their 2012 campaign with their annual spring training trip to Winter Haven, Fla.

While those seven spring games served as the Lakers first big stretch of the season, the team officially opened their season late last month, taking two of three from Bellarmine University. Along with those early-season games, the team played a set of games in Cuba against their junior all-star team in early January.

“Something all coaches strive for is get off to a good start, and 6-4 is not bad,” said GVSU head coach Steve Lyon. “We felt like we played ok, and we played down to the level of competition a few times … but that’s the game of baseball.”

While their record stands at 6-4 through their first ten games, the young team has gained valuable experience. They’ve played close games, extra-inning games and even a loss to Seton Hill University that saw the teams combine for an eye-popping 30 runs.

“Certainly, the one-run games and extra inning games are important, a little more pressure on at bats and more pressure on guys coming out of the bullpen,” Lyon said. “Hopefully we aren’t going to play another game like (18-12) all year. The value comes in playing close games, and of course feeling like you can win those like we did against (Minnesota State) Mankato.”

That ability to win close games comes down to the team’s ability to execute in key spots, something Lyon said the team will look to improve upon as the season goes on.

Along with that execution comes offense, which saw the team score 10-plus runs 19 times last season. Despite losing outfielder Cody Grice, drafted by the New York Yankees in the 12th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, the team returns a solid portion its offense, led by senior outfielder Steve Anderson, who’s hit .419 to go with two home runs and 15 RBIs this season.

“I just think (close games) help us understand our team and our chemistry and how we work together,” said junior outfielder Chris Ripple. “Really, it’s just repetition, that’s the only thing you can do to build chemistry.”

Chemistry is key for the offense, but GVSU’s pitching will also be key. Seniors Cory Rademacher, Ryan Garman and Kyle Schepel return to lead the staff, albeit to the tune of some early-season struggles.

“I think we are pitching well, but other teams have just been hitting,” Schepel said. “A lot of it is just minimizing mistakes and going out there and competing every time.”

Garman, who threw the seventh no-hitter in GVSU history last season, has struggled this season, standing 0-2 with an 11.32 earned run average, but Lyon has said he expects him to return to form as the season progresses.

The Lakers will return to practice this week before heading on the road to take on Urbana University on Saturday and Sunday.

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