Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's baseball team is set to begin its 2025 season on Friday, February 14. The Lakers will face off against Findlay at Xavier University's Hayden Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first game will start at 1 p.m., with the second game commencing shortly after the conclusion of the first.

The team enters this season following a successful 2024 campaign where they won the GLIAC Tournament Championship and secured a spot in the NCAA Midwest Regional. Their opponents, Findlay, finished last year with an overall record of 28-22 and were 21-10 in GMAC play.

Leading GVSU into this new season is coach Jordan Keur, now in his second year. Last year, Keur guided the Lakers to their first GLIAC Tournament title and NCAA berth since 2016. He aims to continue building on that success with a mix of returning players and 17 newcomers expected to contribute significantly across all areas of play.

Among those returning are four All-GLIAC position players. Senior Jonas Gulbrandsen is back after hitting .332 last season, contributing with 71 hits, including ten home runs. He will take up roles in right field and at first base. Senior Ryan Dykstra returns to left field following a season where he hit .319 with six home runs. Senior catcher Brendan Guciardo also returns after posting a .305 batting average. Junior Ayden VanEnkevort moves to center field as he looks to build on his performance from last year.

On the pitching side, LHP Mike Morawski returns after being recognized as an all-region performer with a record of 7-4 last season. Coach Keur will also look for contributions from pitchers Will Goebel, Al Thorington, Collin Bradley, Owen Avery, Colton King and newcomers Jayden Dentler and Ethan Houghtaling.

In recognition of their talent heading into the new season, GVSU has placed four players on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) All-Midwest Preseason team: senior OF/1B Jonas Gulbrandsen and senior LF Ryan Dykstra have been named to the first team along with junior LHP Mike Morawski; senior catcher Brendan Guciardo earned second-team honors.