Battle Creek, MI-- Grand Rapids found themselves in a tough situation up against the Macomb CC Monarchs on Monday. After getting through only part of one inning due to a rain delay on Friday the Monarchs started the game with runners on first and third and no outs. Raiders pitcher
Ben Stemen was up to the challenge and limited Macomb to only one run, and GRCC went on to win with a score of 9-7.
The Raiders were quickly able to take the lead in the bottom of the first inning when
Steve Hazel singled to left and drove in
Jo Woo and
Kenny Davis. After holding the Monarchs off of the scoreboard in the second they added 3 more runs. Two errors proved to be very costly to Macomb, which lead to a
Jason Hockemeyer run. Grand Rapids starting pitcher
Ben Stemen allowed two Macomb runs in the 3rd, but limited the Monarchs to only one hit in the next two innings. After being down 9-3 by the start of the sixth inning, Macomb added 3 runs and 3 hits. The Raiders once again called on ace relief picher Eric "Swampy"
Musselman, who proved to be up to the task yet again.
Musselman had one strike out, allowed 4 hits, and made the save.
The 9 - 7 win was the second victory of the tournament for the Raiders who will be facing off in a grudge match against the Cuyahoga CC Challengers in the Semifinals of the Loser's Bracket. Cuyahoga dealt the Raiders their only loss of the tournament with a 2-1 victory last Friday. The game will be held on Tuesday at 11 AM on Nichols field at Bailey Park.
Further information on the tournament can be found here:
http://mccaa.org/regionxiibaseballtourn.htm
