Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photo Gallery
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The defending NJCAA Division II Champions came to Belknap Park with vengeance from last year’s defeat in both team’s regular season finale, and that’s exactly what they got. The Jayhawks (14-11, 4-2 conference) of Muskegon CC headed home with a couple convincing shutout wins and left the Raiders speechless.
The Raider bats barely touched Jayhawk starter, Katelynn Burns, striking out 8 times while only mustering up 3 hits. GRCC’s Ashley Raap gave up 15 hits and 5 earned runs and the visitors stranded 9 base runners. Caitlyn Decker, Danielle Basch, and Marissa Alverson all had 3 hits a piece for MCC.
Game two featured GRCC’s Casey Cherry and MCC’s Kelsey Bandstra (Grand Rapids native) on the mound. The GRCC freshman allowed just an infield single through 5 innings, as Muskegon lead just 1-0 after 5, but the Jayhawk’s bats finally got going in a seven run 6th inning. Bandstra was solid all day, striking out 9, while walking just 2.
The Raiders (8-10, 2-2 conference) ended up out hitting the Jayhawks 7 to 6, but left 8 on base in the 6 inning affair and twice left 2 on base. Marlene Packer and Karli Showers each went 2 for 3 for GRCC in the losing cause.
In a day the Raider’s wish they had back, they must regroup tonight and get ready a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon against the Jackson CC Jets. Game is at Belknap at 1:00pm.
