May 3, 2024
GRCC's baseball team just did something it hasn't done since 1971.
After defeating Mid Michigan College 23-14 and 13-1 on Wednesday, the Raiders finished off a perfect 20-0 conference season; marking their first time going undefeated in conference play in 53 years!
The baseball team's wild first game had a total of 37 runs, 25 hits (including six homers) and 21 walks. Every batter in the Raiders lineup had at least one hit and all but one had at least one RBI.
Canyen Veldhouse was no match for the Mid Michigan batters in the nightcap, allowing just four hits while striking out 10 to pick up the win.
Joey Hysell led the Raiders in RBIs with 10, mostly due to his two homers on the day. Jacob Pitt led the team in hits with five, including three doubles.Ty Sandwick (5 RBIs, double) went 4-for-7.
Trevin Laming (HR, two doubles), Chad Fisher (5 RBIs, double) and Xavier Allen (2 RBIs, double) all had three hits.
The softball team struck first in its first game of the day, scoring four runs in third. Brit Cisler scored the first run of the game with a leadoff homer (her third of the year). Four batters later, Brynn McArthur knocked in the other three runs on a home run.
Alyssa Wierenga singled in the fifth run of the game in the fourth inning, scoring Emily Obenauf. Mid Michigan responded throughout to tie the game at five going into the final inning.
Chloe Meyers drew an HBP to start the seventh, and two batters later, Samara Kolehouse hit a two-run shot to dead center to give the Raiders a 7-5 advantage.
Mid Michigan threatened in the bottom of the seventh, scoring one, but popped out and left two runners on base.
Macy Huver picked up her eighth win going the distance and allowing just two earned runs.
Both the baseball and softball teams already punched their tickets to the regional tournament. As it looks right now, the softball team will be the North 3 seed and play the Ohio 2 seed next Thursday in the first round of its regional tournament. The baseball team will host a best two-of-three series next Thursday in its first round of regionals.
This story was reported by Ben Brown.