After a rough start to the 2024 season with a record of 0-7, the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team has won five of their last six games, putting their current record at 5-8. GRCC’s first four games, Feb. 24 and 25, were played in Marianna, Florida, against Chipola College. The Indians won all four games by 10 or more runs
On Feb. 26, in a game in Panama City, Florida, GRCC in their first nine-inning game of the season, faced the No. 1 seed Gulf Coast State College, losing 10-0 in seven innings. GRCC played a doubleheader against Tallahassee Community College the next day in Tallahassee, FL, losing both, which set the team at 0-7 on the season.
On Feb. 28, GRCC won their first game of the season in game one of a doubleheader against Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia, a 12-3 win. The Raiders lost the second game 11-7. The following day (Feb. 29) game against Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tennessee, a 7-5 win, GRCC earned their second win on the season. GRCC returned home to Michigan on March 4 to face Aquinas College, a 5-4 win, at the Meijer Sports Complex in Rockford.
GRCC won both games of a doubleheader against Mott Community College which were played at the Farmers Insurance Complex in Caledonia on March 7, with the first game being a 5-4 win in eight innings, and the second game being a 9-8 win in eight innings.
GRCC’s Mike Eddington returned for his sixth season as head coach, Patrick Clark returned for his second season as pitching coach, Brady Owen returned for his second season as assistant coach and Mike Cupples for his fifth season also as assistant coach.
Eddington said he has been happy with the team’s progression and believed Florida was a great learning opportunity for them. “I was happy with our progress on our spring trip to Florida,” Eddington said. “We play against some of the top D1 Jucos (Division 1 Junior Colleges) in the country and it’s a great learning experience for our players.”
In terms of statistics so far this season:
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Freshman infielder Gavin Mazarka, leads the team with a .500 batting average.
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Sophomore outfielder Ty Sandwick, leads the team with seven walks.
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Catcher/Infielder Joey Hysell leads the team with a .750 slugging percentage.
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Sophomore outfielder Trevin Laming, is leading the team with 14 hits so far.
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Sophomore right handed pitcher Lucas McKinney, Freshman left handed pitcher Canyen Veldhouse, and sophomore right-handed pitcher Colton Blankstrom lead the team with 10 strikeouts.
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Sophomore outfield/pitcher Aaron Bess, leads the team with 12 runs batted in.
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In the home run department, Laming, Bess and sophomore infielder Dylan Nguyen all lead with two home runs.
Eddington said he wants his players to focus and learn from their mistakes during this season.
“This year we have a young team that is talented and the team is adjusting to college baseball,” Eddington said. “We are focusing on learning from our mistakes right now and the coaches are excited to watch our players progress.”
GRCC’s next two games will be a doubleheader on Sunday, March 10 against Edison State Community College in Piqua, Ohio. The first game will start at 1 p.m. and the second game will start at 5:30 p.m.
