The annual countdown of the top-10 moments in Laker sports for the past athletic year has started.  2016-17 was another productive year for the Lakers as GVSU Athletics claimed its 12th Directors' Cup and 19th consecutive GLIAC Presidents' Trophy. Over the next few weeks, stories will be released every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on gvsulakers.com counting down the biggest accomplishments by Grand Valley State teams, as well as individual athletes, during the 2016-17 campaign.

2016-17 Top-10 GVSU Moments
No. 6: Matt Williams Sets NCAA Career Saves Record

XENIA, Ohio -- The Grand Valley State baseball team took down Hillsdale 8-6 in a must-win game on Saturday afternoon at Grady's Field in Xenia, Ohio, and advanced to a play-in game with Tiffin on Saturday night. The winner of that matchup advances to play Northwood in the tournament's title game on Sunday. 

GVSU improved to 31-22 on the season with the victory, which came after the Lakers took the lead for good in the fourth inning off of a two-run home run from Johnny Nate, which staked GVSU out to a 5-4 lead. The Lakers added a solo run in the sixth and a pair of runs in the seventh to hold off solo runs from the Chargers in the seventh and ninth inning and take the game by an 8-6 final score. Troy Dykhuis (2-1) was instrumental in the victory, as he pitched 5.1 innings of long relief after replacing Laker starter Mitch Ashcraft, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and striking out two. 

Keith Browning tallied three hits, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Lakers, hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning to mark his second round-tripper in as many games in the tournament. Johnny Nateprovided a big two-run shot in the fourth as part of a big momentum shift for GVSU in the contest, and finished with two hits, two RBI and a run in total. Austin LaDoux notched a pair of hits and a pair of RBI at the plate for GVSU. 

Matt Williams reached a career milestone with his save in the ninth inning. Replacing Dykhuis after a Chargers home run, Williams retired the side in the ninth to notch his 40th career save. That save pushed him past former Laker pitcher Brad Zambron and into sole possession of the Division II saves record.

#1 – Wednesday, July 12
#2 – Monday, July 10
#3 – Friday, July 7
#4 – Wednesday, July 5
#5 – Monday, July 3
#6 – Matt Williams Sets NCAA Career Saves Record
#7 – Marty Carter Leads Nation In Rushing Yards
#8 – Softball Wins GLIAC Championship Trophy
#9 – Men's and Women's Tennis Advance To NCAA Regional Finals
#10 – Men's Golf Claims GLIAC Championship Title