The Grand Rapids Community College softball team dominated Alpena Community College in their four-game series, as they won all four games by at least five runs.
Game one
The Raiders’ batting attack was running on all cylinders in the top of the first inning as they scored three early runs. Sophomore catcher Samara Kolehouse hit a double down the left field line, allowing sophomore third baseman Brynn McArthur and freshman outfielder Emily Obenauf to score. Kolehouse scored later in the inning as sophomore middle infielder Vanessa Hewitt hit a double to left center.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Lumberjacks responded as a stolen base from first base to second allowed another to take home and score their first run. However, this was the only run the Lumberjacks scored throughout the game.
GRCC extended their lead in the top of the third inning as a single from freshman first baseman Britney Cisler nailed a pitch to left field, scoring freshman shortstop Madison Miller. Sophomore outfielder Alyssa Wierenga was thrown out at second base after a hit but it resulted in Hewitt scoring another run for the Raiders. Freshman outfielder Chloe Meyers hit a single to left field which scored Cisler and gave her an RBI (run batted in).
Up 6-1, the Raiders defense continued to show up as freshman pitcher Macy Springer struck out two batters in the bottom of the third inning. In the top of the fourth inning, an Obenauf home run and a Miller double increased the lead to seven runs.
GRCC continued its hot-streak at the plate as freshman outfielder Amara Kline hit a sacrifice fly to right field allowing Wierenga to score. The final run for the Raiders came off of a wild pitch by the Lumberjacks where Meyes scored. GRCC defeated ACC 10-1 in their first meeting.
Springer pitched four innings, allowing a miniscule amount of Lumberjack success, as she gave up one hit, one earned run, with four strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher Macy Huver came in to relief and only gave up one hit in one inning with one strikeout.
Game two
The Raiders continued their success in the second game as all of their runs came in the first three innings of the game.
McArthur started the dominant first inning with a double down the left field line resulting in freshman outfielder Joslyn VanderHart scoring the Raiders first run. A Hewitt double to right field scored two more Raiders along with a Miller groundout scoring Hewitt. In total, the Raiders scored five runs in the top of the first inning.
After a short appearance by the Lumberjacks at the plate, GRCC scored two more runs in the second thanks to a McArthur homerun.
A VanderHart single put multiple Raiders in scoring position in the top of the third inning with McArthur hitting a single to center field, gaining two more runs.
At this point, GRCC held a 9-0 lead and started to slow down at the plate. But their dominance on the mound continued and Huver pitched a nearly perfect game. She pitched all five innings, only allowing two hits, walking two batters, striking out two, and allowing zero runs. Once again, GRCC defeated the Lumberjacks, by a score of 9-0.
Game Three
Similar to the first two games, GRCC jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Multiple Lumberjack walks allowed the Raiders to score their first run. Hewitt added to the lead as she hit a single to right field which allowed McArthur and Kolehouse to score.
Alpena responded in the top of the second inning as two hits to center field resulted in two runs scored for the Lumberjacks. Each defense stepped up for two innings and then the Lumberjacks tied the game at three runs in the top of the fourth inning.
The Raiders immediately responded in the bottom of the fourth inning as a McArthur single to right field allowed Springer to score. Once again, the fifth inning was a standstill as both pitchers made sure they did not allow a run and the Raiders held their 4-3 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Lumberjacks took their first lead of the series as a double and wild pitch scored two runs for ACC. Facing adversity for the first time in the series, GRCC responded with six runs. A wild pitch and a throwing error resulted in Wierenga scoring the first run of the inning. After a few more hits, Kolehouse hit a single past shortstop which allowed Kline to score. Another fielding error by ACC resulted in Obenauf scoring another run for the Raiders. Hewitt continued her breakout series as she hit a double to right-center field which scored three Raiders. GRCC left the inning up 10-5.
The Lumberjacks were shut down in the top of the seventh inning as Springer’s pitching was too much for ACC. GRCC’s 10-5 comeback victory was their third win of the series.
Springer finished the game with seven innings pitched, seven hits, five earned runs given up, and an impressive eight strikeouts.
Game Four
The final game between GRCC and ACC was unlike any other games the two played. GRCC did not give up a hit until the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the third inning, the Raiders scored their first run as McArthur hit a single to center field which allowed Obenauf to score.
The Lumberjacks scored their first run in the top of the fourth inning when GRCC made a fielder’s choice by throwing a runner out at second base. Once again, each team did not score another run for the next inning. It seemed like this game was going to be much more low scoring for the Raiders until Wierenga nailed a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning to give GRCC a 5-1 lead.
Alpena was unable to respond in the top of the sixth inning as Huver’s pitching proved to be too much for the Lumberjacks. In the bottom of the sixth inning, GRCC added to their lead when Kolehouse hit a home run which scored three Raiders in total. From there, the Raider defense anchored down and left with a 8-1 victory and a series sweep.
With the victory, the Raiders improved to 15-15-1 on the season while climbing up the conference ranks with a 10-6 conference record. GRCC hosts a doubleheader against the Alma College Junior Varsity team on Tuesday, April 23, starting at 3 p.m. at Belknap Park.
