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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Ancilla College found themselves on the losing end of two more close games today going down 5-3 in game one, and 7-5 in game two. Just yesterday, the Chargers traveled to Muskegon CC and nearly pulled off another upset against the defending national champs (like they did there last year), but fell 2-1 in their last game. The hometown Raiders were out hit on the day (13 to 14), and had more errors than Ancilla (7 to 4), but big plays were the number one factor in a sweep over the Chargers.

A two out triple by sophomoreAlison Iuelle in the bottom of the 1^st inning of game one scored the first two runs of the ball game. Marlene Packer and Jessica Kohloff whom both scored got on base because of walks. The Raiders walked 6 times in the game while starting pitcher Ashley Raap (5-4 record) gave up 0 walks. 

With the score nodded at 2 in the bottom of the 4^th inning, and with once again 2 outs, Allie Annese hit a shot to left-center but the Chargers leftfielder couldn’t hang on to the ball and 2 runners would end up scoring. The next batter, Adrienne Palmer, ripped a single up the middle scoring Annese, and her team eventually ended the inning up 5 to 2. 

Ancilla’s #2 hitter ripped a double down the right field line in the 7^th, making it a 5-3 game, but that’s how it would end up as the next batter would line out to shortstop Kellen Dewey to end the game.

Iuelle lead GRCC (12-14, 6-6) offensively with 3 of the Raider’s 5 hits. Raap gave up just 2 earned runs in a complete game effort while adding 4 more strikeouts to her two year resume.

In the 2^nd inning of game two, the Chargers (11-15, 1-11) would be the ones who scored first, but left 3 of their eventual 12 people on base, in scoring just the one unearned run. Kellen Dewey scored a game tying run in the latter of the inning on another huge play. With 2 outs and runners on the corners, Tamryn Austhof slowly took off for 2^nd, forcing a throw down to 2^nd, while Dewey would go on to steal home.

Dewey lead off the bottom of the 4^th inning with a double to left that almost went over the fence. The next batter, Brenna Donahue, would single in Dewey putting the Raiders back on top. With 2 outs and the bases loaded, Kohloff smashed a double down the left field scoring all 3 and the home team wasn’t done yet. On the ensuing play and the Chargers playing back on Iuelle, Al dropped a perfect bunt to the pitcher scoring Kohloff, making it a 7 to 1 ball game. That 7^th run was critical as the Chargers made a come back of their own.

Ancilla scored 3 more in the 5^th, 1 more in the 6^th inning and threatened once more in the 7^th, with 2 runners on and just 1 out.Kohloff, who came in relief to start the 6^th inning, struck out her 4^th batter of the game, making it 2 outs, and the final batter flew out to Dewey to end the threat.

Freshman Casey Cherry picked up her 4^th win of the season for the Raiders. She struck out 5 and allowed just one earned run. Kohloff and Palmer combined to go 4 for 7 with 4 RBI to lead the offensive attack.

The Raiders, winners of 4 in a row, will be back on the road next week. Tuesday’s doubleheader at Lake Michigan College will begin at 3:00 pm.