>> Welcome back to an all new episode of the Grand Valley State sports report on WGVU. I'm your host Jake leading DPS. You baseball continues to look good as they finally got onto

the Diamond in Allendale GSU lacrosse snagged 2 conference wins on the road this week. Lakers softball sits on top of the glee act after some strong performances. GSU men's basketball

coach Cornell man addresses Laker nation for the first time and our feature this week takes a look at national champion. Judith S I lock in Laker nation as the Grand Valley State sport

report starts right now. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] GSU baseball one for into this week as they finally got their games at home. They would sweep the

get on their practice a whole lot either. So it's been it was awesome to get on the field. And, you know, we take a great deal of pride of taking care of our field number one. But but

playing well at home, too. >> 2 really great games against Lewis as well as late comeback to tie that game up in Game one. They go back or you take the lead. Finally, they come back to

you when that game in extra innings. >> It wasn't about those games against the Flyers on Tuesday that we had a little bit of a layoff. But we had to cancel a Purdue Northwest

because of a covid issue within their program. So, you know, having a little bit of a layoff or a little rusty coming out. But it was great to see, as you mentioned, 2 comeback wins Kyle not

have basically to go ahead or game winning hit. So it was awesome to see good. Good way to start our home, our home. Sam. And one thing I've noticed about this offense coach. It seems

like you guys continue to battle, continue to grind, never really out of the game. Yeah. It's it's a competitive group for sure. And again, I mentioned a handful of times the

championship resolve that we talk about. You know, we had 2 losses this weekend. They were both one-run losses. We were down in some other games become back and wind. So that's

definitely a championship characteristic. We want to take it to the next step. So that were ahead and have to come back from behind. But it's it's a great just a great

characteristic to have when things get tough. I believe Tim not said the 16 games in a 16 day stretch over these next couple of weeks. Like it's a lot of a lot of baseball being played

to test the depth of that pitching staff at least this week. It seem like a pitching staff passed that test they did to hold a offense like, you know, northwood to 4 runs or less in 4 games

speaks volumes to the coach, to the work that coach Tyson has put in with our pitchers. But, you know, we've got some really good starting pitching. And, you know, just the depth that

we have. It's it's no big thing in Division 2 for us to get through this division to death is not with Division one death is, you know, in terms of pitching scholarships and so

forth. But I really like our team and they just they battle. They give us depth when we need it starters go, you know, had a couple complete games this weekend. So, you know, when when

things get tough, our guys grind. >> You mentioned the cancellation of the progress West Syria. So this was an ugly act opening weekend on the road at northwood four-game split into 2

played a couple of double headers once again, weather wreaking havoc on the schedule as it has all year long. But tell us about the game to see what they're awfully competitive all

throughout all 4 of them. >> They were both ways. You know, good pitching through, you know, the 2 seven-inning games and then in both nine-inning games, you know, get a little bit

more offense. So I guess my my thought is maybe if we play for 90 games that we could, you know, to have a better result in terms of, you know, 2, 2, But you know, our guys just continue to

hang around and produce, you know a couple, you know, just little things here and there. And then the one-run games and we could very easily before know Austin. Brown seems like that swing

and miss stuff is really come along even further this year. We talked about it a lot last year but seems like that growth from year one to year 2 has been really impressive. What have you

seen for miles around here, the early starters. Now he continues to get better. He's a competitive kid. He's just got a good demeanor about him on the mound and he's

overcoming some little things that maybe I'm still his way last year. He is not allowing that to happen right now, even though he got a loss the other day he still threw extremely well,

I think at the end of the game, there's only one or 2 runners left on base outside of the first inning. So a really good performance. >> You know better than anybody. How

important is that strikes. And that seems to be what your pitching staff as a whole is doing the strikeout to walk ratio is incredible right now. Thanks for the one basically when you break

it down to just doing a great job. All of your pictures of finding the strikes on the that the push to contact the pitch to contact but is not giving away based on her son to be a big keep

your pitching staff this year. >> Sure. And it's a point of emphasis just upon the strike zone. But our guys do a really, really good job in practice. Very good work habits. Good

preparation leading up to that. So it's kind of a combination of of good practice habits with with good intent at practice with what quality coaching coach Tyson. I can't times

speak enough about about the volume or the, you know, speak enough about the work that he puts it with our guys. You know, it's it's just been lights out so far. So I hope it

continues and it may be that 3rd phase, the game that sometimes gets lost like special teams in football as defense in baseball because some of the plays your kids kids are making in the

outfield. Some of the playmaking just been it's been such a good defensive solid group that's really help your pitching as well. Going to give up can contact your guys and make the

plays behind them. Absolutely. We've got really, really athletic outfield that makes up for a lot of little things that, you know, a ball that could drop here and there just seems

routine at times. You know, we had just around to find out. We're not sure if it's a broken finger. But the wind out that Andrew got to move some guys around. We have some

versatility and some athleticism that allows us to do that. So there's there's a lot going on there. But, you know, as a coach gives me some peace of mind knowing that we've

got some really, really good athletes that can handle a lot of little things along the road. So again, I like where we're at right now with her, especially defense. I like ran pitching

defense and I think we're pretty well balanced offense too. >> We're going to be plenty of games to get into the swing of things offensive Lee here come that starts tomorrow.

Yet that double header with pretty Northwest as begin to make up those 4 games talk. We can expect this week. >> A lot of games number one. But I'm I'm hoping that our

pitching depth comes through which and which I fully expected to, you know, and again, it's just something like this were tax with with more games than we're used to a small span.

You know, we just got to make sure we take everybody's take care of our arms. You know, pictures and make sure that our practice habits carry over to games. How much, if at all to help

playing Lewis last week in a midweek to to get get used to this Tuesday weekend mindset. Sure, any time that we can break up a long layoff. We're going to be better off or, you know,

come come weekend. So I don't think it's going to be different. The last weekend is playing a Tuesday and getting through the weekend. So excited about. >> Well, not that

these guys don't put in the work that they can play games that practice for the right to do that is plenty of opportunities for see you tomorrow. The home field coach glee at home

opener. Best of luck this week. Thanks for joining us. Right. Looking forward to thank. But back to the ground at a sports bar continues on WDTN [MUSIC] [MUSIC] last week tvs. You announced

the hiring of Cornell man to lead the tvs. You men's basketball program. Earlier this week, coach man spoke to GPS you what his first press conference. Here's what the Grand Valley

State newest head coach had to say. Take a listen. >> Thank you very much. Thank you very much. >> Very happy to be here. >> You heard me say this often. I hope each and

every student athlete not just here but across the country have a positive experience obtain their degree and go out to be a very productive part of society leaders to another great America.

You're going to set it off. One thing I'll tell you is we will do our best to build on the traditions already built. Here is a great Foundation and we'll take it from there

and elevate. Take the elevator up a few. All right. We are here to win championships that we here for here. Grand Valley state. Our staff will connect with the players. We will connect with

you guys. You know everything about as we will know everything about you. We will do everything we can to help you now and forever will be family forever. We'll do that will connect

with you on and off. The court will connect with the community. Both campus community outside of the campus community. The last thing I'll say quickly, haha, is I care. This is what I

start. Everything. Everything. I just just aren't what I care because I do care. I care about the student athlete experience. I care about the community both on and off campus. Thank

hear how the players see me and my staff thank here about the athletic administration and the president's office and the fact that they gave me a great responsibility of being a head

men's basketball coach here. I care enough to get this thing right care enough to get it right and helped push and pool and build on the culture and tradition that's already built

so we can win championships and into a fight before getting to a Final 4 now on the Kona 3. I want everybody to yell at the top of your loans. Let's get this work. >> Let's

get this worked. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> DBS, you're lacrosse had another dominant week defeating upper Iowa and Concordia Saint Paul on the road that at T now sit atop the glee actor

14 1 overall on the season doesn't talk about the team's head coach mckenzie Lawler coach long road trip. As you begin the second tour through the glee act this year. How was the

trip this week. >> It was great obviously coming away with 2 wins. As always, you know what you want out of a conference road trip. We're lucky our freshman goalie killing cater

her family hosted us for a nice lunch on Saturday in between the road trip that I think that was really nervous. She not just the food but the time together and out of the hotel in a house.

You watch a college lacrosse games played some knockout basketball the driveway. And I think that kind of lifted, everyone's spirits. Despite all the long aisle. Some of us how the jump

shot. I did knack out coach Nora, who was our reigning champion. Wow. I didn't want to leave Earth when the round, but that was kind of work. I think those whole world to on the road

to upper Iowa. First time your teams ever been there and what a dominant start to this game 9. Nothing after the 1st quarter. But was the key to the hot start there on the road. Just think

finishing our shots, you know, offense did a really good job controlling the pace of play. You know, making sure that we're shooting a little bit later in the shot clock and be patient

for the right opportunity. And I think that helped us with the fast start. >> Very varied offense as well. 11 different Lakers scored that had to feel really good to see some different

players hitting the score sheet. >> It was great. We see that all the time in practice. And I think you're really starting to see some other players build confidence to put that

into games. City stone had a great first weekend in Florida has been battling some injuries the last couple weeks was really nice to see her have a strong weekend and more like the city were

used to seen, you know, Ellie Bernard had some nice assist in the upper Iowa game. So he's a glare. You know, got on the score sheet. So just nice that we're, you know, not a one

or 2 person team that we can really go deep into our offense a bench. >> And then after that, when you go on to Minnesota where you said, you know, with the Minnesota officials on the

road Concordia Saint Paul, it's going to be a little more of a physical match. I think we did see some of that physicality in this one. >> Absolutely. Their field a little bit

smaller. Just been inside the dome. And so I think that makes it a little easier for them to be physical versus, you know, we really like a plane, a fast pace and having a lot of space to do

so. And so that we struggled with that. I think in the 1st quarter we had a lot of turnovers in the clear didn't quite stick with the game plan. And I think once we settled down and

then you saw that piece clean up and was able to just get a lot more offensive. >> Possession so that we could finish it just punctuate that 0.4 of 6 in the clear in the 1st quarter.

But this one failed clear the rest of the way. So it seems like your team did make that adjustment. What was the conversation there? Maybe get gusts little cleaned up in the midfield.

>> We wanted to try and stay away from the sidelines, which is very different than how usually clear just because of the limited space. So kind of rotating our defensive Diamond a

little bit differently using that middle spot. And I think, you know, Carly Lea Shea, once they really figured out that pattern. They did a great job executing that the back. >> And we

know Concordia Saint Paul is good in the circle as well. And Rockets. Also this is maybe the first game in a while. You haven't dominated on the draw. So that kind of pushing a little

bit of a different situation that almost not a good thing. You always want to dominate the draw but put yourself in some of those testing situation like, you know, you'll face come

postseason time. >> Yeah. It's definitely challenging to figure that out. You know, they have some great speed on the circle. And so my person here has been great press there this

year. But you know, when you're going to get someone just as fast as you. That's a little bit tough. So I think that he did a good job trying to switch things up. We but only on

the draw. She had a couple myself winds which is really good. But I think that really tested our defense. You know, there maybe not used to play as many possessions in a game and they came

up with some really big stops. Both of our goalies made outstanding saves a man that game. And I think that was a really big confidence booster for them. >> Yeah. 8 saves in net new

talk about the defense to be tested like that a little bit more than maybe they have been these last few games. You almost get a good thing that they get a little bit. That rust knocked off.

>> I think they're really excited for the challenge. Leah Johnson had a really tough match up the player. She was guarding had scored I think 8 or 9 goals of the game before

against Davenport which help Concordia Saint Paul come away with a win and she held a match up to 0 goals and only 3 shots. And so that was a really great execution on her part. And I think

the defense loves playing a physical type the game. So. >> Sometimes I think our attackers don't like the officials let things go as much. But the defense really got excited about

that. And I think that a strong performance. Finally a chance. Your defense to flash their athleticism. The offense has gotten to the last few games. But that you as you continue the second

time through the glee act now have another big one coming up this week. You go to Davenport after the way the game went at your place, you know, Davenport going to be hungry. They're

going have a little bit of an edge to them and going on the road is never easy. >> For sure. You know, I think our team is really excited to end the season the way that we are.

It's a little odd. Only played one game this weekend in one game against northern Michigan. But I think that really allows us to not only prepare for the single opponent but also played

very, very fast. You know, pushing the fast break a little bit more really trying to wear down those opponents, especially in the 2nd half and. >> They like that style. So be fresh to

be able to do that I think will be really fun. It's also nice to get a lot of that individual working to get to do some more practicing with just the one game each of these next 2

weeks to really fine-tune things towards the postseason will coach. We're looking forward to it. To be a fun one this week on the road. Only 2 games left it hard to believe, but the

conference is right on the horizon already to keep on driving. Congratulations on another great weekend. We'll talk to us and thank you. Don't go away. The Grand Valley State

sports. We'll be right back after this. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Dsu track and field has always been known for their strong throwing program and this season is no different with national

champion. Judith S my a leading the way for the Lakers. Tom Cleary has the story. [MUSIC] >> At the indoor track and field championships last month in Kansas, there were more than a

few anxious moments for Laker standout. Judith S uh my uh. She trailed in the weight throw after the 5th for 6 attempts. It was trying her best to get her mind to not interfere with what she

knew. Her body could do. >> On this day. It was about point. You have to keep it together. You know, like it's all about being able to keep composure in on that point. You can

think about too much because I want to mess up. We talk about that. >> Frequently with all the flowers. It's it's kind of a one throw competitions to you at 6. But really

only one of them is the ultimately the one that matters and and scientists kind of Tepper minding her about it. You know, it's still one throw me. >> In her final throw against

bree apparent of Minnesota state Judith finally unburden yourself with a toss of over 64 feet. Nearly a full meager better than her. Best to that point and just enough to edge out parents

who also improved on her final attempt. It gave us a Maya another individual national championship following her win in the hammer. Throw at last year's outdoor nationals at Grand

Valley and also kept run pace in her quest to become an international star for her home country of the Netherlands. >> The the outdoor me last year the ham into was quite a ways ahead

of the rest of the field. And I think the that's likely to be the case again this spring. But in some ways I think she's got her own her own goals in her own things that you want

to accomplish that or, you know, I think kind of that care. And that's going to kind of keep motivating her to continue to get better. >> With potentially 2 years of eligibility

remaining after her win last spring. Some people thought some I might try to up the ante by moving to a school in Division. One. >> The Jews says she realized from the start the

facilities and coaching at Grand Valley gave her the best possible platform for athletic endeavors. >> Of course, calling a primary coach. She's absolutely amazing. I have no

reason to leave. You know, like why would I obesity works, right. So why would you least like that. Just doesn't and never has a mind to have to go to one. I very much feel at home

here. I can do my education has next to my to my sports. It's working out well. So why would I even mixed do doesn't make any sense to me to leave. So I'm not going to

>> being a student at Grand Valley from overseas offers its own challenges. >> But Judith has been additionally burden by the pandemic, which is limited her travels to a far

greater extent. >> But as an academic standout has made numerous lifelong friends in Michigan. She knows exactly how her college experience has helped her to blossom in ways she had

never imagine. >> I was thought I was mature. I wasn't I came here. You know that I learned so much about myself the past 3 years, you know, to learn a lot. You know that I was

here by myself. A sense that, you know, parents are back home can just go home. You know, I was really just I have to make this my home. >> Do that to my next shot at a national title

will come in her own backyard. When Grande Valley host the outdoor nationals again beginning on May 26th last year. She essentially want to hammer competition on her first role by being the

only athlete in the event that week to go over the 60 meter mark with the memory of a recent indoor winning Kansas still fresh in her mind should be trying to avoid any final throw heroics

this time around. A Grand Valley. State sports report. I'm Karen. >> GSU. Softball won 7 in one this week as they continue to stay atop the glee act. The team win 6 straight now

sits at 11 3 in conference. Play does not talk better team's head coach Dan Callahan coach a busy week for you. 8 games for double headers. Have you caught your breath yet. Not yet

ready for a nap. It was definitely a busy week for you guys. But something had to do with the weather wreaking havoc early. And now you are getting all 14 games in the only team really an

ugly act to do that. To this point. >> Yeah. You know, it's been a crazy week with weather and tarps on and tarps off and then switch in dates and times and all kinds of stuff. So

we did what we have to do to get them in. And luckily we we got that done. >> It was a busy week started on the road at Davenport had a great showing over there. Take 2 from them

again had to be at a sensational in Game one for you. >> She is. She's just been the leader of our whole team, especially the pitching staff and not she sets the tone for a son to

get Game one out of a double header is important. Very critical. >> Yeah. For her. This week. He went 3 in one after that will talk about yesterday against Wayne state. But 0, 0, We

are a given just 2 unearned runs and 30 plus innings of work. He continues to be that workhorse for you. You have to give your team so much confidence every time she's in the circle.

>> It does. You know, sometimes it can be a negative too because and we don't seem like we have to the urgency the score quite as as early and as often but be nice to get are few

runs early and take care of the business that way. But she is she is just been, you know, outstanding in the circle and you know, one of the leaders just pick again, just sets the tone for

the entire team moving forward throughout the day. >> You go back to 2 Saturdays ago in Tennessee guard struggled in that game, too. But you turned around to a complete game. Know hit

a complete game shutout against northwood on Sunday. That does the same thing against Davenport on Tuesday. So to see her get back in to try to find that consistency. Find strikes a little

bit as you try to find that. Number 2, pitcher seems to be really important as well. >> Yeah. That that's the area that we're still searching for were still searching for

that that, you know, those 2, 3, 4, pitchers to step up. Who's going to be that that next one and G really, really stepped up against northwood game. She threw another good win against

second on Saturday. >> You know it and it's nice to see that. She's still young. She's still learning, but it's nice to see that potential that she has yet. So you

take 2 against Davenport and you take 2 against Parkside with the almost perfect game from Hannah B Addison no-hitter will call and said the 3rd one of her for the season. By the way,

she's now got 5 her career. She continued. Do incredible things can turn around on Saturday. As you mentioned, maybe not that urgency to score early. But you scored when you need to

bottom of the 7th inning down one, nothing 2 outs bases empty your 8, 9, hitters find a way to get on base and then Joanna Stern see only with the unbelievable week that she had had maybe

the icing on the cake with that game winning double. >> Yeah, you know, I mean, talk about when to the last second to that was that was it right there or not. But again, that shows the

determination and the grid of of our players and the fact that they they they just don't want to let it slip away. They're going to fight to the last breath in. They did that and

they came through on that one yet. It seems like that momentum really carried over to Game 2 because 5 runs scored early and often and that and that second game against Saginaw. And then

that's what we need to do. That's what we need to do. We need to set that tone early from the offensive standpoint game 2 special about Hannah be awesome out. You know, our 2, 3,

4, pitchers are are finding their way, but it's nice to get them some runs early and not give him a little breathing room. >> Which we can do that every game and then the 4th

double header of the weekend to go on the road to Detroit travel across the state early in the morning. Get there to play 2 against a good Wayne state Warriors team and a couple of different

style battles. But tightly contested games will start with Game one had to be at its going 10 innings will 9.2 innings was being a one. Nothing game, but just an absolute pitchers door. The

definition of it. >> Yeah. You know, state is a tough team to to strike out to a 12 start out that game on. They put the ball in play will win made a few errors that you know, give

them some base runners and gave us some scary things. But Hannah battled and got us out of that, you know. And then we just couldn't generate the offense. We left a lot of runners on

base. We just couldn't get that key hit. We hit some hard shots, right, Adam. And it's just kind of the nature of the game. And unfortunately we came on the wrong side of that one.

But Hannah threw a gem. >> And you just can't ask for anything more your pictures? What seemed like both sides say the offense for Game 2 because there were 12 runs scored the

first inning and a half in that second game. That was a conversation with the teen between that first game. He scored no runs and 8 runs in the first 2 innings in Game 2. >> Well, you

know, I mean that the Wednesday pitcher in Game one. She was. She was tough, you know, and we knew she would be a battle. But at the same token, you know, we knew it. We could score and I

was just a matter. We talk about that after every loss we're going to deal with adversity. We're going to deal with bumps in the road. How do you respond to it. You know, lets you

resilience level and they responded and anyone they definitely did. And then they just had to keep responding home. You know, because we couldn't quite shut the door. So they kept

battling kept battling kept battling. And that's just again, the character of this team. Yeah. Back and forth game. That was 94 than Wayne state has back to back 3 runnings. They take

the lead 10 to 9. They bring Game one pictures back in to try to shut you down and keep the lead. >> But not this time. A four-run 6th inning. Morgan Spicer comes through with a big

hit and 2 innocent. You only had her home run in this game to some great moments for your team offensive Lee. The probably give you some momentum right into this week as well. >> Yeah,

you know, I mean, that's the potential that this offense has. And now we just got to, you know, string it together and be complete in every game and you know it. But that's the

nature of our game. Unfortunately. You know, you have days that you're you're going to struggle games are going to struggle. But at the same time, again, the character of the team

in and how you handle that adversity. I'm really defines things. And so it was nice to see him bounce back in that game, too. >> Well. You got 14 games left in topic play. 10 of

them are on the road. It starts this weekend. Coach, you go to northwood and Ferris state this weekend. As you begin that second tore through the glee acts. Congratulations on a great week.

Get some rest. You're going to need it. And best of luck this weekend to talk to next week. Thank you. We'll be right back. At the Grand Valley state support. The poor continues on

wdvm. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> That's all the time we have this week on the Grand Valley. State sports report tvs use off all hit the road for a pair of matchups will take on North

what this Friday and Midland with the first pitch of Game one scheduled for 03:00PM but then head over to Farris for a Saturday matchup against the Bulldogs first pitch or those games are

slated for 01:00PM GSU baseball getting a double header tomorrow against Purdue Northwest. First pitch in Allendale is at one 15 PM with Game 2, right afterwards did for the cross has one

game this week. They'll take on crosstown rival Davenport in Grand Rapids on Saturday. April 16th at 12:00PM DBS the men's golf a play in the glee actor numb at this weekend from

Friday to Sunday. That will be held in Augusta, Michigan with the Lakers will look for another ugly act championship. >> For upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker

athletic program. This atvs you Lakers dot com for more of this show head to our youtube channel at youtube. Dot com slash WGVU 35 makes it the subscribe button to get updated video

highlights all year long for the entire crew here. AWD to you. I'm Jake. We have a great week Laker nation. And as always, accurate. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC]