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VANDERCOOK LAKE, Mich. – Sophomore Marlene Packer, the Raiders second best hitter a year ago, had been on a bit of a cold streak in the month of April, but started the new month out on the right foot as she was on fire against the Jets Sunday afternoon.
On March 29th, Mars’ season average peaked at .417, but since has dropped steadily, including going just 1 for 15 over the past five games before Friday’s doubleheader. Her record setting 5 for 5 performance in game two (7 for 8 for the day) upped her average 45 points and she is now batting .343, which is 3rd best on the team. She also went RBI-less in the month of April, but knocked in four runs against the Jets, including her first homer of the season during game two.
Despite out slugging the Jets eight to five in game one at the deep (225 feet) Jackson ballpark, the Raiders found themselves on the losing end of a 7 to 2 ball game. Jessica Kohlhoff scored the only runs of the game for her team on solo homeruns in the 3rd and 7th innings. The Jets scored five runs in a wild 3rd inning and scored two more in the 6th inning. Just three of their total run production was earned.
The Raiders (15-23, 9-11) ended their six game losing streak against the 3rd place Jets (14-22, 14-8) by ripping off a season high 20 hits in game two and hanging on for a 14-9 victory. All but one Raider in the starting lineup finished with at least one hit. Kellen Dewey (4-5, 2 RBI, double) and Alison Iuelle (3-5, RBI, two doubles) continued to raise their team best batting averages. Dewey is now batting .429 while Iuelle is right behind her at .381 with a team leading 22 RBI.
The Jets finished with 15 hits and lead 5-1 after three innings, but the Raiders clawed their way back into the game with three runs in the top of the fourth. Packer, Iuelle, and Dewey all lead off the fourth will doubles and would eventually score. The Jets (who scored in every inning but the second) added another run in the bottom of the fourth before the Raider bats really got going in the fifth.
Allie Annese (1-3) led the 5th inning rally with her first of two walks in the game. Three consecutive singles by Packer, Iuelle, and Dewey loaded up the bases for freshman Casey Cherry (2-5, 3 RBI) who had a great all around day at the plate and in the outfield. Cherry hammered a line drive to deep center, knocking in two more runs, and giving her team the lead 7-6. Three batters later, freshman Megan Bridges (2-4) made it a 9-6 ball game on an RBI single to center, and the Raiders’ bats didn’t stop there. By the end of the top half of the inning, the visitors would lead 11-6 after seven runs and seven hits from 12 batters.
The Jets offense added two more runs to the scoreboard before going into the final inning, trailing 11-8. However, the Raiders put the final nail in the coffin scoring three insurance runs on five hits in their final at bats. Jackson tried another late rally, but managed just one run, before Cherry made a game ending catch down the left field line.
Ashley Raap picked up her 6th win of the season for the Raiders, while Kohloff earned her 3rd save of the season in two innings of relief work.
Kalamazoo Valley CC is scheduled to come into Raider nation tomorrow with a 3:00pm start time.
