Lawson named Pitcher of the Week for second week in a row

Grand Valley State pitcher Kyle Lawson was named the GLIAC North Division Pitcher of the Week for the second consecutive week, following his impressive performance on the mound against No. 15 University of Indianapolis on March 19.

Lawson, a junior, allowed one unearned run, five hits, walked three batters and struck out four in seven innings as the Lakers took a 3-1 victory over the Greyhounds.

The win puts Lawson at 3-0 in his last three starts with an 0.85 ERA in those three games. Lawson is now 3-1 on the year with a 3.91 ERA. He ranks No. 11 in the conference in strikeouts with 20.

Lawson’s back-to-back player of the week awards mark the second time in program history that a GVSU pitcher has won the award in consecutive weeks. The first and only other to do so was former GVSU pitcher Patrick Kelly, who accomplished the feat last season (March 31 – April 6).

Including Lawson and Kelly, only four players ever have won the award in consecutive weeks in program history. The other two—both skill-position players—are Kyle Gendron (April 26, 2010 – May 3, 2010) and Giancarlo Brugnoni (April 14, 2014 – April 21, 2014). 

Lacrosse ranked eighth in latest poll

Grand Valley State’s lacrosse team is ranked eighth in the latest IWLCA Division II coaches’ poll, moving up one spot from ninth in last week’s poll. The Lakers made history last week when they earned their first top-10 ranking in program history.

The Lakers (2-3) are seven points behind No. 7 Mercyhurst (5-1) and are 13 points behind No. 6 Lock Haven (6-0), making it the closest the Lakers have ever been to a top-five ranking. The Lakers are 29 points ahead of No. 9 West Chester (5-1), which they swapped spots with in this week’s poll.

The Lakers also moved up one spot in the Nike/Lacrosse Magazine media poll, placing ninth.

Lacrosse home opener rescheduled

Grand Valley State’s lacrosse team was scheduled to face McKendree for its home and GLIAC opener on March 24, but expected poor weather has pushed the game to March 25.

The game will take place at 2 p.m. at the GVSU Lacrosse Stadium. The Lakers will try to get their record (2-3) to .500 and carry their momentum from their non-conference schedule into GLIAC play.