One of the major staples for the Grand Valley State University baseball team this season has been its offensive attack. The Laker lineup features nine players who each are very capable at the plate.

But big bats were not enough to capture a Conference Championship. The Lakers dropped a 7-3 outing against Ashland University in the opening round of the GLIAC tournament before winning a 10-9 11-inning affair against Saginaw Valley State University and dropping an 11-10 10-inning game against Ashland.

GVSU head coach Steve Lyon said while the Lakers remained solid offensively in each outing, the pitching staff showed signs of its youth.

“We scored enough runs to win and we played good enough defense to win, but we didn’t have that solid pitching that we’ve really had for the most part this year,” he said. “The conditions were kind of conducive for offensive firepower so I’m not going to put all of the blame on our pitchers, but I think they could have pitched a little better, and I’m hoping they do by the NCAA Regionals.”

Including the regular season, the Lakers (34-14) have now lost three of their last six matchups. Sophomore outfielder Cody Grice said the team must improve on defense in order to continue to be successful in the postseason.

“I feel pretty good about our offensive production – we’ve just needed to hold teams to fewer runs, and that hasn’t happened,” he said. “Our pitchers are definitely more capable than what they’ve been showing, but I’m confident that they’ll step up for regionals.”

GVSU must now focus all efforts on moving deep into the NCAA Midwest Region tournament. The team will enter the tournament as the No. 2 in the region after its GLIAC showing put it in jeopardy of falling in the rankings. Even if the team had dropped a few spots, Lyon said opening strong at the regional tournament is more important than seeding.

“Seeding is a secondary interest – we have to win the first game,” he said. “If you don’t, then you kind of put yourself behind the eight ball. Last year we dropped the first one and rattled off five straight wins to take the championship, but we certainly don’t want to put ourselves in that position again.”

There was, however, a silver lining in the team’s GLIAC showing. In the bottom of the fourth inning against Saginaw Valley State, sophomore outfielder Cody Grice set the single-season record for hits with 91. At press time, Grice stood at 94 total hits for the season.

Grice said part of the reason for his strong play this season stems from a friendly competition with senior Kyle Gendron, who broke the record last year.

“I’m definitely happy about it,” he said. “I’m happy with how the season went for me, and it’s good recognition for me.”

Lyon said Grice brings more value to the team than just in his offensive performance.

“He’s an outstanding baseball player in all facets of the game,” he said. “He’s a very good defensive centerfielder, he’s got really good arm strength and runs the bases well. He’s a modest young man, and always puts his team at the forefront in everything he says and does.”

The Lakers will begin regional play against Ashland on Thursday.

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