Interim No More; Roth To Coach Grace BaseballWINONA LAKE – Closing out a nationwide search, Grace College announced on Tuesday that the interim tag will be removed from Ryan Roth.
Roth will become the next head coach in the 60-year history of Grace’s baseball program.
He has been with the Lancers for two seasons, serving as an assistant in 2018 and the interim coach alongside Tom Roy in 2019.
“We are extremely pleased with Ryan Roth leading the baseball program at Grace College. His desire for Christian excellence in all areas of leadership is aligned with our mission at Grace College,” said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “His ability to recruit at a high level and his connections in northern Indiana will serve him well as he takes the helm of the program. We look forward to the future of the Grace baseball program under his leadership.” Roth led the Lancers to a storybook season this spring. Grace qualified for the Crossroads League Tournament for the first time since 2014 and quickly made an impact.
The Lancers upset top-seed Huntington in the opening round of the tournament thanks to a walkoff squeeze bunt.
Grace continued its run, taking down the host Taylor and Marian to land in the championship game for the first time in program history.
The Lancers won the third-most games (17) this spring in its 60-year history. Grace also had four players earn honors on the postseason All-Crossroads League Team.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to grow the program spiritually and competitively. I’m also honored to serve at a school that I believe in very deeply and that aligns with my spiritual values and worldview,” Roth said. “I’m thankful to Dr. Katip and Coach Briscoe for their support of me to guide this program into the future.”
Roth pitched collegiately at Huntington University before joining the US Navy where he served from 2010-13.
He was an All-County player at Manchester High School, helping the Squires to the 2A state championship in 2002. He batted .403 in 2003 while adding a .969 fielding percentage.
Roth, who also played football at Manchester, was inducted into the Manchester High School Hall of Fame along with his 2002 state championship team.
Faria Completes Season Of Pro Soccer In Europe
GYOR, Hungary – Grace College’s graduated senior Flavia Faria enjoyed her first season of professional women’s soccer this spring in Europe.
Faria played for ETO FC Gyor in the top division of Hungarian soccer (NB I). The squad finished sixth in the standings for the season.
ETO FC Gyor plays in the 15,600-seat ETO Park in Gyor, Hungary. Faria joined the team midway through the season. She started in six of the nine matches in which she was available to play.
Faria scored two goals and added four assists in her appearances.
Faria, who played at Grace from 2016-18, helped the Lady Lancers to their first 20-win season in program history as a senior. Grace won the Crossroads League championship in 2018 and hosted an Opening Round match at NAIA Nationals.
“My time at Grace was one of the most impactful times of my entire life. I grew spiritually, academically, athletically and mentally,” Faria said. “The coaching staff at Grace helped me not only to develop my soccer skills but also my faith and my desire to grow in my life. As I look back on my career, I feel blessed, joyful and thankful. They taught me how to play soccer for Christ and not for my own glory.”
