By Charlie Commeret
As the Grand Rapids Community College softball team improves to a 28-7 record on the season and 15-2 in conference play, they look to finish the season strong and make a run deep into the postseason.They continued their impressive run, sweeping the Mid Michigan College in a double header on Friday at Cornerstone University against Mid Michigan College.
The first game was largely uncompetitive as the Raiders dominated the entire way., led by standout Sophomore Pitcher Kalani Stowe, who pitched a five-inning shutout while only giving up one hit, and overall looked dominant all day.
The bottom of the second inning is when things got out of hand for MMC as GRCC put up a four-run inning, it started by a lead-off single by sophomore First Baseman Lilian Klop, followed by a double in the gap by sophomore outfielder Libby Vanfleet. After a walk, loading the bases, the Raiders’ hitters did a great job putting the ball in play and were able to squeeze out a few runs off of errors or fielder’s choice, making it 4-0 at the end of the second.
The game was put away in the third inning as a bases-clearing double by Freshman designated-hitter Ava VanderKolk down the left field line scored two runs, as well as a sacrifice fly by freshman shortstop Abbie Critchet to score a runner. The Raiders mercied the MMC 9-0 in the fifth inning.
The second game was a low-scoring affair as Freshman starting pitcher Megan Lillie threw a complete game, only giving up one run on seven hits. The Raiders gave themselves some insurance runs in the first inning as they got plenty of runners on base by drawing walks and scored three runs, advancing runners home with the bases loaded off of them. This included a single by Freshman third-baseman Kennedy O’Leary to right to score Critchett from third base.
MMC were threatening in the fifth inning as they cut the lead to two but the Raiders were able to gut it out and get out of the jam by securing a pop out, as MMCstranded a runner on third base.
The Raiders will take on the Aquinas College Saints in a double header on Wednesday, April 22 starting at 3 p.m., at the Meijer Sports Complex.
