Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) secured the 2024 GLIAC Tournament Championship with a 5-3 win over Saginaw Valley State on Sunday afternoon. The game took place at Jackson Field in Lansing, Michigan. With this victory, GVSU earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament. This marks the Lakers' 12th GLIAC Tournament Championship and their first since 2016. Overall, it is their 21st GLIAC Championship in program history.

The Lakers' offense started strong with consecutive singles from the first four hitters. Ayden VanEnkevort singled to right field, followed by Kyle Nott's single to center. Ryan Dykstra hit an RBI single to right, and Jonas Gulbrandsen brought home Nott with another single. Brendan Guciardo advanced Dykstra and Gulbrandsen on a ground out, while Nate Logan drove in Dykstra with a fielder's choice. Connor Schuman added to the score with a single that brought in Gulbrandsen, giving GVSU a 4-0 lead by the end of the first inning.

In the sixth inning, VanEnkevort reached base on an error and Nott laid down a successful drag bunt for a single. After Gulbrandsen walked to load the bases, Guciardo hit a sacrifice fly that allowed VanEnkevort to score, extending GVSU's lead to 5-0.

Saginaw Valley State managed two runs in the seventh inning and one more in the ninth. Junior relief pitcher Will Goebel entered after a leadoff walk in the ninth inning and helped secure two outs. A double off the wall led to an impressive relay from Nott to Schuman to Guciardo for the first out of that inning, preventing a run from scoring. A lineout provided another out before senior relief pitcher Logan Wynalda was called upon with bases loaded and faced Hayden Jatczak, who was named GLIAC Player of the Year. Wynalda induced a ground out handled by Jake Rydquist at third base, sealing the victory for GVSU.

Starting pitcher Mike Riley performed exceptionally well over eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits while inducing numerous ground outs and flyouts. Goebel recorded two outs during his appearance, and Wynalda secured his first save of the year by getting the final out.

Kyle Nott finished 2-for-5 with one run scored; Connor Schuman also went 2-for-5 with an RBI; Ryan Dykstra contributed with an RBI and run scored; Jonas Gulbrandsen added both an RBI and run scored; Brendan Guciardo as well as Nate Logan each registered an RBI; Logan Anderson had one hit.

GVSU awaits their placement for NCAA Tournament action scheduled for announcement on Sunday night at 10 p.m.