Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) ended its 2025 baseball season with a narrow 5-4 loss to Northwood in the championship game of the NCAA Midwest Regional #2. The match, held on Saturday, May 17, extended into 12 innings. Earlier that day, GVSU had secured an impressive 18-3 victory against Lewis in an elimination game.

In their second game of the day, GVSU started strong by scoring three runs in the first inning. Shortstop Evan Morrison and left fielder Ryan Dykstra each singled, setting up first baseman Jovan Gill for an RBI single. Catcher Brendan Guciardo added another run with his career's 100th RBI, while third baseman Caleb Estrada also contributed with an RBI single. However, Northwood matched this effort with three runs in their half of the inning.

The score remained tied until second baseman Ayden VanEnkevort hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to put GVSU ahead briefly at 4-3. Northwood responded with consecutive doubles to even the score once more. The deadlock persisted through extra innings until Northwood clinched the win with a two-out single in the bottom of the eleventh.

Senior pitcher Allan Thorington delivered a solid performance by allowing three runs—only one earned—across seven hits and achieving three strikeouts. Senior Will Goebel and Colby Phipps also contributed significantly from the mound.

In their earlier game against Lewis, GVSU dominated by scoring in each of the first seven innings under challenging weather conditions characterized by cool temperatures and misty rain. The Lakers amassed 20 hits overall, led by Jovan Gill's two hits including a home run and five RBIs. Several other players recorded multiple hits and RBIs as well.

Sophomore pitcher Owen Avery played a key role in securing this victory for GVSU, giving up only three runs on three hits while striking out seven batters. After conceding a two-run homer early on, Avery retired twelve straight batters without allowing another hit until late in the seventh inning when relief pitcher Edward Konow took over to finish off Lewis with minimal damage.

Head coach Jordan Keur concluded his second season with a record of 43-14 following these results.