May 13, 2005

Grand Valley State had 11 student-athletes named to the 2005 Baseball All-GLIAC teams for their outstanding play this season. Junior Grant Payton was dubbed the GLIAC Pitcher of the Year and also earned All-GLIAC First Year honors.

Payton is the second straight Laker to garner GLIAC Pitcher of the Year honors. He turned in a stellar season for the Lakers on the hill with a 8-3 record and a 1.22 ERA. Grant has tallied 67 strikeouts, four complete games and allowed just nine earned runs in 66.1 innings of work. He allowed just 10 extra-base hits on the year and opponents hit just .238 off the southpaw. Grant was 6-2 in league play with a miniscule 0.69 ERA. Payton allowed GLIAC opponents just eight runs, four of which were earned, in 52.0 innings. He notched 51 strikeouts and tossed four complete games in league action.

Sophomore catcher Nick Smith, senior second baseman Scott Smith, senior third baseman Scott Allen, senior center fielder Brandon McFarland, starting pitcher Jeremy Dow, and relief pitcher Joe Finnerty were all named to the All-GLIAC First Team. Junior first baseman Chad Rohacs and right fielder Nick Sandy earned All-GLIAC Second Team plaudits, while senior short stop Ryan Lyster and junior starting pitcher Jeff Sinicki were named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention team.

Grand Valley State (30-14) will play the winner of the Findlay-Wayne State in the GLIAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday, May 14 at noon at Wayne State University.