Not only did the second ranked Grand Valley State University baseball team finish the regular season atop the GLIAC, but they’ve also taken to winning in terms of the conference’s postseason awards.

Led by GLIAC Coach of the Year Steve Lyons, the team reached new heights, finishing the regular season with a GLIAC title and a 45-3 (34-1 GLIAC) record. GVSU ranked as the top offensive team in the conference, scoring over eight runs per game. The Lakers finished as the top pitching team as well, sporting a 2.49 earned run average as a team. Lyons was also named GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2003 when the Lakers finished the season 41-14 with an appearance in the NCAA DII World Series.

Junior Cody Grice served as a catalyst for the Lakers’ offense, and was rewarded for his efforts with the GLIAC Player of the Year award. Grice finished the regular season with a .389 average to go along with 50 RBI, 50 runs and 18 stolen bases. Grice is the fifth GVSU player to win the award.

Bill Maple also joined in on the action, winning the GLIAC Freshman of the Year award after a dominating first season with the Lakers. Maple finished third on the team with a 1.98 ERA, while holding opponents to a team-low .196 average. Maples is the fourth Laker under Lyons to win the award.

Also being rewarded for their efforts with All-GLIAC first team honors were senior designated hitter Cory Phillips, junior second basemen Garrett Yatch, junior outfielder Steve Anderson, junior pitcher Ryan Garman, junior pitcher Kyle Schepel and sophomore pitcher Brad Zambron.

Earning All-GLIAC second team honors were freshman 1B Giancarlo Brugnoni, senior short stop Andrew Trepel and senior OF Paul Young, while junior catchers Zach Laupp and Jared Cowan were recognized as All-GLIAC honorable mentions.