Battle Creek, MI—Only a few moments after the Raiders suffered their first loss of the postseason, the team was forced to regroup and take the field again. This time around the Raiders met up with Glen Oaks Community College’s Vikings, another familiar foe from the 2011-12 regular season. After defeating the Vikings twice earlier this year, the Raiders charged the field with confidence, and earned another victory to send GOCC packing. GRCC earned a 7-3 victory Saturday afternoon to keep their season alive.

After falling to Kellogg Community College by a razor thin margin, the Raiders were down but not out. After filling in for DH duties, Raider Pitcher Brendan Bender took the mound. Bender threw 4.1 innings and hurled 6 strikeouts while allowing only 6 hits and 3 runs. Austin Stephens stepped in to make the save for GRCC, and threw a pair of strikeouts in his 3.2 innings pitched.

Leading the Raiders offensive charge were some of the usual suspects. Carlos Berroa had a stellar performance, scoring 3 times, posting 4 hits and earning a single RBI. Teammates Steve Ayala and Kyle Orlowski both had solid games as well, with each scoring twice with a pair of hits.

In perhaps his most impressive game of the season, Sophomore EJ Grochowalski posted some astounding numbers. Grocho helped to stymy the Vikings offense with his 11 putouts, and he frustrated Glen Oaks pitching staff with his presence behind the plate. EJ scored twice, had a pair of hits and knocked in 5, count em, 5 runners. The total is the highest any Raider has earned this season.

With confidence restored, the Raiders are slated to take the field today at 3:00 PM at Bailey Park. The Raiders, facing elimination, will square off against the Jets of Jackson Community College. The teams met 3 times during the season, the first of which GRCC won in a dominant fashion. The Raiders won the first two contests between the teams by scores of 16-5 and 4-2 before losing their final contest by a score of 7-8.

Despite being a single loss away from the end of their season, the Raiders are still very much in contention for the Region XII crown. GRCC has defeated each of the remaining teams at least once this season, and have a aggregate record of 6-3 against the three. With the odds in their favor and the threat of an early summer in sight, the team will no doubt be bringing their A game today.