The Grand Rapids Community College softball team went into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 Great Lakes Tournament facing off against No. 2 seed Cuyahoga Community College, as they beat them 12-3 in five innings but were defeated later in the day by Mott Community College.
Raider’s batting elevates them against Cuyahoga 12-3
GRCC headed into Regionals looking to make noise and that is what they did as they scored nine runs in the final two innings to defeat Cuyahoga Community College 12-3.
Freshman catcher Madison Miller boosted the Raiders in the top of the first inning as she hit a home run to right-center field which allowed two other Raiders to score, 3-0 GRCC.
The Triceratops responded in the bottom of the first inning as multiple singles into the outfield allowed Cuyahoga to cut the lead to one run, 3-2 GRCC.
Each team’s defense stepped up while the offenses stalled until the bottom of the third inning when a Cuyahoga single to left-center field allowed the Triceratops to tie the game, 3-3.
The Raiders made an immediate response as sophomore outfielder Vanessa Hewitt nailed a home run to right-center field which put the Raiders back on top, 4-3 GRCC.
Later in the inning, a single down the right-field line by freshman outfielder Emily Obenauf scored multiple GRCC runs, 6-3 GRCC.
Sophomore third baseman Brynn McArthur finished the inning with a single down the left-field line which allowed Obenauf to score, 7-3 GRCC.
GRCC did not allow another run the rest of the game thanks to impressive pitching from freshman pitcher Macey Springer. She pitched all five innings, giving up nine hits, allowing three earned runs and struck out one batter.
GRCC padded the lead in the top of the fifth inning as freshman outfielder Amara Kline hit a single down third-base line which scored one Raider, while a single from sophomore first baseman Samara Kolehouse scored three more runs, giving the Raiders a 12-3 lead. GRCC held the lead throughout the bottom of the fifth inning to win 12-3.
GRCC gets tested by No. 1 seed Mott Community College
GRCC headed into their second regional game confident as ever after their 12-3 victory against Cuyahoga. However, Mott Community College completely out-played the Raiders in a five-inning game where the Raiders were defeated 16-0.
The Bears recorded an imposing three home runs in the bottom of the first inning which allowed Mott to score six total runs, 6-0 MCC.
GRCC struggled with the Bears pitching as they totaled five strikeouts in the first two innings at the plate. The Bears continued to pressure the Raiders as they scored two more runs thanks to two singles in the bottom of the third inning which increased their lead, 8-0 MCC.
After another hitless inning from the Raiders, MCC doubled their lead as they hit two more homeruns, including a grand slam, which increased their lead to 16-0 by the end of the fourth inning.
GRCC was able to get a few hits in the fifth inning but were still held scoreless throughout the entirety of the game. After a disappointing performance mixed with facing one of the best teams in the region, the Raiders were defeated 16-0.
GRCC returns to action on Friday, May 10 as they face No. 3 seed Schoolcraft College at 12 p.m. in Marysville.
