April 7, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Jared Berkenpas pitched his second shutout of the season, leading the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team to a 10-0 win in the team's season finale against Delta College.
For the softball team, pitcher Izzy Regner picked up another victory in the first game of a twin bill, though the team dropped its final game against Delta.
In a busy day for GRCC Athletics, the golf team finished third in a tournament at Ancilla College.
Berkenpas allowed just two hits, while striking out nine and walking none in six innings on the mound, to improve his record to 3-1 in his sophomore campaign.
Eight players had at least one hit, with reigning Conference Player of the Week Aaron Bess picking up two hits. Bess’ double in the bottom of the sixth inning brought the score to 10-0, setting a mercy rule in action and ending the game.
Jacob Guminey hit his second home run of the season and Trevin Laming lined a two-run triple for GRCC, which improved to 13-10 overall and 8-1 in the conference.
Regner also fanned nine batters in the softball team’s 4-2 win, improving her record to 9-3. From the plate, she had two of the team's six hits. Jaye Guichelaar also had two hits, including a leadoff double.
GRCC started the second game strongly, jumping out to a 7-1 lead after two innings. But Delta scored 13 unanswered runs and went and won 14-9.
Guichelaar led the team with three hits and Alyssa Wierenga led the team with three RBI.
GRCC is now 12-10 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
John Forton's golf team shot a one-round total of 325 to finish 10 strokes back of Mott Community College at the Ancilla Invitational.
Drew Harrington and Jayson Bultman had great rounds of 74 and 76 to finish second and third overall.
Brad VandenHout shot an 80 and tied for eighth place, while McCoy DenHartigh finished the Raider scoring with an 85.
The baseball team will be back on the diamond on Monday in a nine-inning game against Aquinas College. The softball team will return to play April 11 when it travels to Alma College to take on the Scots. The golf team will resume conference play at Glen Oaks Community College on April 14.
This story was reported by Ben Brown.