Battle Creek, MI – GRCC’s Raider Baseball team travels to Battle Creek today in preparation for their first contest of the 2013 NJCAA Division II Region XII Tournament against Muskegon Community College’s Jayhawks at C.O. Brown Stadium at Bailey Park.

GRCC’s Raiders finished the regular season in fourth place in the MCCAA compiling 16 wins and 10 losses in MCCAA play while recording an overall record of 21-25.

Kellogg Community College’s Bruins, this year’s MCCAA Champions, won twenty-two games against MCCAA opponents during the regular season while losing just four to earn the top spot.

Muskegon Community College’s Jayhwaks—GRCC’s first round opponent—holds second place in the league with a 19-7 record in MCCAA play while 32-13 overall.  Jackson Community College took third as the Jets finished with a 17-9 conference record, 23-15-2 overall.

The Raiders are 1-1 against Muskegon in 2013 having recorded a 5-4 win and a 6-8 loss on April 26^th when GRCC hosted the Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks are led offensively by sophomore outfielder Travis Cohoon.  Cohoon is batting .366 with 45 hits including 11 doubles and five home runs and 45 RBI—each being a team high.  With only 9 strikeouts on the year, Cohoon’s ability has given way to 23 walks this season.

Sophomore M.J. Oshinksi and freshman Patrick Giddings also boast some impressive figures for the Jayhawks as Oshinski has tallied 37 hits with 7 doubles and 1 triple while Giddings’ .309 average has come by way of 34 hits and 12 RBI.

Freshman Kory Brown leads the Jayhawks with 31 stolen bases.

Muskegon’s bullpen is led by David Foster and Adam Poel.  In 52 innings Foster has a 2.6 ERA with 49 strikeouts with 19 walks. Poel has recorded a 3.16 ERA over 37 innings with 28 strikeouts.

Closer Bryant Westra earned four saves in 17 appearance for the Jayhawks.  In 16.1 innings Westra K’d 13 batters while allowing just 6 earned runs for a 3.31 ERA.

At fourth in the MCCAA, GRCC doesn’t deliver the most statistically impressive team to the Region.  However, the Raiders know what it takes to win postseason games.

In 2012 the Raiders traveled to Battle Creek as the third Michigan Seed and after an opening round win over KVCC 16-7, the Raiders fought back from a 0-1 loss to Kellogg Community College in the second round to win each game to take home the Regional Trophy and advance to the National Tournament.

This year’s Raider squad has the same tenacity and grit required to repeat that performance.

Brian Portelli leads his Raiders offensively with a .328 batting average.  Portelli, an All-Tournament Team winner last year, leads the Raiders in total bases with 60 and home runs with 3 and hits with 41.

Freshman Dylan VanPutten leads GRCC in RBI with 26 edging out Portelli by one.  VanPutten has accumulated 34 hits in the regular season with 10 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homeruns while taking 54 bases.

Freshman Brayden Miller leads the Raiders in runs scored with 30 while stealing a team high 25 bases. 

Starting pitcher Brendan Bender brings a 4-1 record to this year’s tournament with a 2.19 ERA.  Bender has struck out 31 batters in 37 innings allowing 9 earned runs  and walking 13.

Sophomore Austin Stephens holds a 5-3 record this regular season with a 3.06 ERA.  In 47 innings Stephens allowed just 16 earned runs while striking out 30.

Reliever Bob Kwekel s 2.16 ERA was earned in only 16.1 innings, but over 11 appearances.  Kwekel earned two saves during the regular season after allowing 16 hits and 11 walks while striking out 17.

Aaron Jensen and Austin Rusnell have also both seen significant time for the Raiders on the mound as each have pitched over 40 innings.   Russnell leads the Raiders in strikeouts with 31.

Tomorrow’s contest between GRCC’s Raiders and Muskgon’s Jayhawks starts at 11:30AM.  For complete tournament statistics visit the Region XII tournament’s page on the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s website here.