Coach Cut's Corner

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, Coach Radek joins us to break down exactly where we are at this point in the season and the reality of sitting at 17–16. It is not where we expect to be, but it is exactly where we have earned to be.

This conversation centers around the gap. The space between the work you put in and the results you expect to see.

We talk about how development is not instant. It is uneven, slow, and often invisible in the moment. Players expect to see results right away, but the game doesn't work that way. There is always a delay, and that delay is where most people lose belief.

We dive into how experience plays a major role in closing that gap. You cannot skip reps. You cannot shortcut failure. The more experienced team handles pressure, controls moments, and finds ways to win the margins.

We also address the role of luck. It exists. Balls fall in. Balls do not fall in. Close games swing both ways. You cannot rely on it, but you'd better understand that it is part of the game. Over time, experienced teams put themselves in a position to benefit from it.

This episode is real. It is honest. It is about staying in the process when there is no immediate reward. If you are a player, coach, or parent trying to understand development, pressure, and what it actually takes to improve, this one matters to you.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

In this episode, freshmen pitcher Gavin Przybyla is in studio to talk about his journey from youth sports to college athletics. Gavin delves into the challenges and triumphs faced during his high school career, notably overcoming injuries, and adapting to being a full-time pitcher in the competitive landscape of college baseball.

Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

Noah Marcoux grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, and built his game step by step. He became one of the most consistent college hitters in the country by staying patient, trusting development, and learning from the right people along the way.

Noah’s career was shaped by strong mentors, honest coaches, and years of learning how to handle failure, pressure, and expectations. He didn’t chase shortcuts. He learned how to prepare, adjust, and compete every day.

We talk about where he’s from.

How baseball shaped his upbringing.

The coaches and mentors who influenced his career.

What separated him as a college hitter.

How approach, preparation, and habits drove his consistency.

What he learned about failure and confidence inside a long season.

How the game helped shape who he is beyond the field.

Listen & Subscribe:

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

Follow for weekly conversations about mindset, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence, on and off the field.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

This episode cuts through the noise around player development and recruiting. Mike Rice lives in the evaluation seat every day. Vice President and General Manager of Detroit Prospects. Scout for the USPBL. Associate scout for the Texas Rangers organization. Mike has seen what works and what fails at every level of the game. We talk about where he’s from. How sports shaped his upbringing. How becoming a father changed how he coaches and evaluates players.

Then we get into the truth:

• What college coaches are actually watching at showcases.
• The biggest recruiting mistakes families keep making.
• Why talent alone is never enough.
• How overlooked players separate themselves.
• And why long-term success always starts with habits.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

The episode features freshman utility player Jake Norton. Jake discusses his journey through several high school sports programs, including breaking a collar bone, and the transition he faced going to college baseball. The discussion delves into his impressive physical transformation, highlighting his nutritional and training regimen, which has significantly improved his performance.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

Wade Sommers comes from Jonesville. A small, Michigan town that shaped how he sees work, people, and responsibility. This was Wade’s first-ever podcast, and he opens up about life growing up in a place where everyone knows your name, expectations are real, and effort is noticed.

He talks about family. Strong ties. Consistent support. Being grounded by people who tell you the truth and hold you to a standard. He even shares why Saucey Dogs, a local Jonesville restaurant, still matters to him. It is not about the food. It is about connection and familiarity.

Wade tells a story about the summer Coach Cut coached his brother in the Northwoods League. One season. All nine positions played. No excuses. Just showing up and competing wherever the team needed him. That experience stayed with him and shaped his view of versatility and buy-in.

He breaks down his freshman season at LCC. A year full of learning, disappointment, frustration, and real growth. Nothing was handed to him. Plenty of moments that tested his confidence. He explains how those moments forced him to mature, adjust, and take ownership of his development.

The conversation also dives into the systems in place to support LCC pitchers' success. Daily structure. Clear expectations. Accountability. Why systems matter more than motivation and how consistency wins when emotion fades.

If you are a coach, parent, or athlete who believes development starts with identity and discipline, this conversation is worth your time.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

This episode brings things back to where it all started. Blake McRae was a cornerstone on our first team here in 2022. He bought in before anything was proven. He helped set the standards that define our program today. His journey since then has been all action:

1. JUCO success.
2. Division I at Eastern Michigan.
3. MLB Draft League.
4. Professional baseball in the Atlantic League.
5. Coaching and developing hitters.

Blake has lived every level. He’s failed. He’s adjusted. He’s found ways to stay consistent in a game that exposes everyone. This episode breaks down exactly how he has done it and why buy-in from day one changed the trajectory of his career.

If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete who cares about development and long-term success, this conversation is worth your time.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

On this episode, join Coach Cut and Coach Radek as they recount their recent trip to the American Baseball Coaches Association's National Convention, providing insights from their experience being with over 6,000 other coaches and attendees. It is also the start of Spring Season for LCC Baseball, so with the start of a new year, so does the implementation of new training programs, including vision and speed training, aiming to enhance player performance. As they look to the new season, they emphasize the importance of continuous learning, and that success on and off the field extends beyond talent.

Website: American Baseball Coaches Association

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

This week, Coach Cut and Coach Radek sit down with redshirt freshman pitcher Kacey Gray from Boyne City, Michigan.

Kacey’s story is one of patience, discipline, and belief in the process.

After redshirting his first year, he stepped into his second year ready to lead, compete, and represent what full buy-in looks like inside the Stars program.

Key Topics

1. Growing up in Boyne City and finding a love for the game
2. Lessons learned from being a multi-sport athlete
3. How the redshirt year built maturity and perspective
4. The mindset shift entering Year 2 of college baseball
5. Daily systems and structure that drive success
6. What true buy-in looks like inside the Lansing Stars program
7. Leadership, adversity, and developing a competitive mindset

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

Freshman catcher and utility player Carson Sweet joins Coach Cut and Assistant Coach Ryan Radek in the WLNZ Studios to talk about his journey, his first fall season with the Stars, and what he’s learning about discipline, mindset, and growth inside the program.

Carson came to Lansing with a strong baseball background, having played both high school and travel ball, and quickly showed what it looks like to handle the college transition the right way. Quiet confidence, steady work habits, and a team-first approach have defined his start with the Stars.

In this episode, Carson opens up about:

1. The early influences that shaped his love for the game
2. Adjusting to the pace, standards, and expectations of college baseball
3. What he’s learned about accountability, preparation, and consistency
4. How he approaches growth without relying on stats
5. The habits that keep him grounded and uncommon in his daily routine

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports