Coach Cut's Corner

Complacency doesn’t announce itself, it creeps in when things start going well.

In this episode, Coach Cut and Ryan break down where the Lansing Stars are in their fall season, the lessons from the team’s fifth year volunteering at the Hot Cider Hustle 5K, and why staying sharp is a daily battle.

They discuss how success can soften focus, how to recognize when standards start to slip, and how the program is using Pison technology to track readiness, recovery, and discipline across the roster.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or leader; this one’s about keeping your edge when comfort starts calling.

Key Talking Points:

• The danger of letting comfort replace hunger during the fall season
• Lessons from the Hot Cider Hustle 5K, where Ryan Radek and Cam Kaul became the first coach and player to run the event
• Why complacency is the quiet killer of great teams
• How Pison is being used to measure focus, sleep, and mental readiness
• Practical ways to recognize and fight complacency daily

Tune in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and be sure to share this episode to help us continue growing the Coach Cut’s Corner community that now reaches thousands of listeners each week.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports 

Kate Davis, the founder of RDKate Sports Nutrition and a certified specialist in sports dietetics, returns to Coach Cut’s Corner for her second appearance.

Her first time on the show was Episode 10: “Gummi Bears & Pop,” where we talked about fueling, recovery, and the mistakes young athletes make with nutrition. Three seasons later, Kate has been embedded in the Lansing Community College Baseball program for four full years, helping shape one of the most intentional player development systems in the country.

In this episode, we dive into her journey as a sports professional, the growth she’s seen in our program, and what sets LCC's culture apart. She shares her perspective on how nutrition, data, and daily execution connect to performance, leadership, and consistency.

Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation gives a look inside what it takes to sustain excellence on the field and in life.

Connect with Kate Davis

Website: rdkate.com

Instagram: @RDKate

LinkedIn: Kate Davis, MS, RD, CSSD

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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 infielder Savannah Turner from Tacoma, Washington, joins Coach Cut in the WLNZ Studios to share her journey as one of the few women playing college baseball in the United States.

After being cut from her high school baseball team, Savannah refused to quit. Instead, she trained and competed for two seasons with Driveline Baseball Academy in Kent, Washington, where she rebuilt her game, mindset, and confidence. Now she’s earning her place at the University of Olivet, proving that resilience and execution still matter in today’s game.

In this episode, Savannah opens up about:

• Getting cut and choosing to respond instead of quitting
• How training at Driveline transformed her mindset and her game
• Transitioning to college baseball and competing at Olivet
• What it means to be one of the few women playing college baseball
• Her vision of coaching in professional baseball after her playing days

Tune in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to hear an uncommon story of belief, discipline, and perseverance. Savannah’s journey shows what happens when you stop making excuses and start executing.

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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 utility player Jace Davis joins Coach Cut and Assistant Coach Ryan Radek in the WLNZ Studios to talk about his journey, his early growth inside the program, and what it takes to meet the standard every day.

Jace came to Lansing from Woodhaven High School and quickly made his mark this fall, hitting .429 with a 1.028 OPS, turning four double plays, and recording a .972 fielding percentage across 42 chances. Just as impressive, his 8.45% chase rate ranked among the best in the program.

In this episode, Jace opens up about:

• The people and family who helped shape his baseball journey
• Adjusting to the daily standards and systems at Lansing
• How structure, discipline, and consistency have changed his game
• His mindset behind elite plate discipline and defensive versatility
• What he’s learned about himself since joining the program

Tune in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and be sure to share this episode to help us continue growing the Coach Cut’s Corner community that now reaches thousands of listeners each week.

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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 of Coach Cut’s Corner, freshman catcher Kaiden Kapa joins Coach Cut in the studio to talk about his journey. Coming out of Kettering High School in Waterford, Michigan, Kaiden brings grit, versatility, and leadership to Lansing CC baseball. We dive into his journey from high school to college, how he’s adjusting to the speed of the game, and the mindset he’s building behind the plate.

Kaiden also shares what he’s learned from his brother, Virginia pitcher Tyler Kapa, and how those lessons help him navigate his own path. From catching responsibilities to game day routines, this episode gives listeners an inside look at a freshman ready to make his mark.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Kaiden chose Lansing CC and how he’s handling the transition
• The biggest challenges catchers face in managing pitchers and game flow
• How Kaiden is sharpening both his physical tools and his mental game
• Insights from his family’s baseball background
• Goals and aspirations for his career moving forward

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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 on Coach Cut’s Corner, I’m joined by former Stars outfielder turned assistant coach Ryan Radek.

Ryan was on track to play at the Division I level until a devastating knee injury ended his season and put his future as a player in jeopardy. Instead of stepping away, Ryan chose to give back, shifting from the field to the dugout and bringing his knowledge to the next generation of Stars.

What You’ll Catch in This Episode:

• Ryan’s playing career and what it meant to wear the Stars jersey
• The moment of his injury and the challenges of season-ending surgery
• How he processed losing out on D1 opportunities and found purpose in coaching
• The transition from player to coach, and how he now mentors guys he once played beside
• His perspective on this year’s team, program changes, and the culture being built
• Lessons on resilience, setbacks, and finding new ways to lead

Ryan’s story is about toughness, perspective, and staying uncommon when the path you planned takes a turn.

Tune in and hear how he’s stacking bricks in a whole new way.

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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, Coach Cut sits down with Stars left-handed pitcher Matthew Whiteman. A Romeo, Michigan native, Matthew talks about his journey into baseball, the people who influenced him growing up, and the challenges of stepping into the college game. From family roots to the lessons learned on the mound, Matthew shares what keeps him focused, how he stacks his bricks, and where he’s headed next.

What You’ll Catch in This Episode:

• Matthew’s early baseball journey and family influence
• The transition from high school to college ball
• Lessons in resiliency and handling adversity
• Favorite memories and defining moments so far
• How program values Uncommon, Selfless, and Excellence guide him
• Goals for the future and the type of player he wants to become

Find Coach Cut on Twitter: @coachcutter5

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports 

Sophomore utility player Bryce Wiggins joins Coach Cut’s Corner to share his journey from Novi, Michigan, to becoming one of the most versatile athletes on the Lansing Stars roster. Known for his grit and energy, Bryce led the country last season in hit-by-pitches, proving he’ll do whatever it takes to get on base. In this episode, Bryce talks about his family’s role in his success, the lessons he’s learned through JUCO baseball, and how his faith keeps him grounded.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why versatility is both a challenge and a strength for a utility player

• How JUCO baseball has shaped Bryce on and off the field
• The story behind leading the nation in hit-by-pitches
• The role family plays in his baseball journey
• How faith provides perspective in sports and life
• Bryce’s vision for the future and what he’s chasing next

Find Coach Cut on Twitter: @coachcutter5

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports 

Sophomore outfielder Korbin Smith joins Coach Cut’s Corner to share his journey, his role on the team, and the energy he brings every single day. Known not only for his play in the outfield but also for his legendary attention to detail: laying down the straightest chalk lines the Stars have ever seen. Korbin talks about what drives him, how he embraces the little things, and what it means to be a great teammate.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Korbin found his way to LCC and what shaped his baseball path
• Why bringing energy every day matters as much as stats
• The connection between details off the field and performance on the field
• Lessons learned from freshman year to sophomore year
• His outlook on leadership and his future goals as a player

This episode captures the heart of what it means to be uncommon, showing up with energy, owning the small details, and making an impact beyond the box score. Korbin’s story is a reminder that excellence is built in the little things that most people overlook.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports 

From small-town beginnings to college competition, Parker Vaughn’s story is about lessons, growth, and momentum. Coach Cut sits down with the Cedar Springs native and Lansing sophomore infielder to talk high school roots, choosing LCC, learning from his freshman season, and carrying success from summer ball into a promising year ahead.

You'll hear:

• Growing up in Cedar Springs and early baseball influences
• Choosing Lansing CC and why the program was the right fit
• Lessons from a freshman season in college baseball
• Summer ball success with two different teams and what it added to his game
• Applying those lessons today as a sophomore
• What excites him about this year’s team and his vision for the future

Listen now and keep stacking bricks.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports