May 18, 2023, SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team's chance at a World Series appearance came to an end after dropping two games in the NJCAA Region XII Tournament on Thursday.
GRCC advanced to the final four of regionals after sweeping Ivy Tech Community College on May 11.
Despite 15 hits, the team dropped its opener 13-6 to Lansing Community College, ranked No. 4 in the nation.
Jake Gumieny and Xander Reisbig led the team with three hits. Trevin Laming, Fernando Rivera-Calderon and Joe Hoeks all had two.
Jared Berkenpas (8-2) took the loss giving up six earned runs while striking out six.
In the nightcap, GRCC faced Kellogg Community College, ranked No. 6 in the nation, in an elimination game.
GRCC fell behind 3-0 after two innings, but scored two each in the third and fourth innings to take their first lead of the game. But Kellogg scored five unanswered runs to win 8-4 and advance in the tournament.
The Raiders out-hit the Bruins 11-9 and were led by Laming, Gumieny and Zacarias Salinas with two hits each.
Lucas McKinney (8-2) gave up three earned runs over four innings to take the loss.
GRCC's season included an MCCAA Northern Conference Championship with a 23-2 record, an MCCAA championship and a 35-14 overall record.
This story was reported by Ben Brown.