April 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College hurler Jerad Berkenpas, who has the best earned run average in the nation, was named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference Player of the Week
Berkenpas, who earned NJCAA All-American honors last year, is now 5-1. His 0.46 ERA is best in the NJCAA’s DII – and nearly a full run better than the closest competitor. Opponents are batting just .163 against him.
"Jerad competes at a very high level week in and week out," pitching coach Pat Clark said. "It's no surprise that he earned this award based on the way he has dominated his opponents this year."
Berkenpas earned his fifth win of the season, shutting out Muskegon on Friday. He allowed just three hits and struck out nine while walking one.
This is Berkenpas' third time earning conference player of the week honors.
The baseball team is now 26-11 overall and in first place in the conference with an 18-2 record. It begins its final conference series of the season today at Bay College with its first game starting at 2 p.m.
This story was reported by Ben Brown.