May 14, 2003

Grand Valley State's head baseball coach Steve Lyon was named the 2003 GLIAC Coach of the Year. Lyon led the Lakers to a single-season, school-record 37 wins in 2003. Grand Valley won the 2003 GLIAC regular season title and 2003 GLIAC tournament Co-Championship.

GVSU was 20-6-1 in the GLIAC, which earned them the number one seed and the right to host the 2003 GLIAC Baseball Tournament. The Lakers have also been selected to host the NCAA DII North Central Regional Tournament in which they are a number two seed.

Nine Laker players have also earned GLIAC honors for their play in the 2003 season. First baseman Joe Brunink, starting pitcher Matt Rafeld, and relief pitcher Joe Finnerty have all been named to the All-GLIAC First Team.

Brunink led Grand Valley with a .416 batting average. He tallied 12 doubles, six triples, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 27 walks on the season. Joe was also 12-for-14 in stolen base attempts and had a .987 fielding percentage.

Rafeld led the Lakers with an 8-1 record and a 2.68 ERA. He appeared in 14 games, pitching six complete games. In 80.2 innings pitched, Matt allowed only 13 walks, while recording 50 strikeouts.

Finnerty tallied a 2-1 record, while leading the team with six saves. He has a 1.71 ERA, only allowing four earned runs in 21.0 innings. Joe has also recorded 24 strikeouts and only six walks.

Shortstop Tony Pfennig, third baseman Scott Allen, outfielder Mike McCallister, and starting pitcher Phil Mixter were all named to the All-GLIAC Second Team. Catcher Elijah Beckwith and outfielder Kevin Boyd earned All-GLIAC Honorable Mention plaudits.