Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Benton Harbor, Mich --  Grand Rapids Community College's softball coach Paula Maloley earned her 700^th career win yesterday in the first game of a double header against Lake Michigan College as her Raider softball team bested the Red Hawks 11-5 and 3-2.

The wins improve GRCC's conference record to 6-8 while 12-22 overall.  The Raiders are ranked 6^th in the MCCAA West and one game behind 5^th place Jackson College .
After two scoreless innings GRCC got one run on the board in the third and the hits kept on coming for the Raiders as they downed Lake Michigan 11-5.   Megan Lee went 3-of-4 with a double, a triple and two RBI in the contest scoring two runs of her own. Amber Ballard hit 3-of-5 with one RBI and one run.

Ingrid Kukla earned her seventh win of the season for the Raiders pitching seven innings allowing five hits, three earned runs with six walks and six strikeouts.  Kukla's record improves to 7-12.

In game two the Raiders found themselves up 2-0 after three innings as Billie rendered the Red Hawks scoreless until the sixth when a Red Hawk single scored two to tie the game.  DeLisle left have pitched five innings allowing just 6 hits, two earned runs and two walks.

Kukla took over in the sixth walking her first batter then striking out three in a row giving her team the chance to answer in the sixth.

Despite failing to score in the sixth, Kukla made quick work of the Hawks in the seventh with a groundout, strikeout and a fly out.

The Raiders got their break in the seventh.  With two outs Amanda Steig singled to third. Amber Frye walked to first advancing Steig. Kaitlyn Guobis pinch hit for Katie Klompstra singling to third loading the bases for freshman Chelsey Zylstra.

Zylstra hit a walk off single to second to score Steig for the 3-2 win—the first toward coach Maloley's next 100 at 701.

Maloley was very pleased with her team's effort Sunday, and humbled by her 700^th win.

"When I first started the game, it was much slower.  It's sped up and become more competitive.  I've had to keep up with the speed and the student athletes themselves.  The training techniques have evolved with the game as well.  Without the help of Mike Roche, our Athletic Trainer at GRCC, I'd have had a much tougher path.  He's been instrumental in our success."

Maloley added that her assistant coaches deserve much of the credit too. "I've been blessed with many assistant coaches.  They deserve much of the credit for these wins", said Maloley.

When asked why she's kept at it for so many years and wins, Maloley was quite clear that she's not here just for wins.

"I do it because I love the challenge of getting a new crop of young women each year to watch grow, mature and develop into independent leaders.  The lifelong friendships they develop with each other are worth more than the wins" said Maloley.

Maloley is hesitant to take all the credit for these wins.

"I can't take credit for those wins like I'm the key.  It's the players that deserve the credit for winning those games.  We coach them up, but they're the ones who produce on the field.  I can't thank Charlie Wells , this administration and the College at large enough for the work they've done to make this milestone possible for myself and these young women I work for."

While the 700 win milestone might seem like enough, Maloley is focused on the remainder of this season and hopeful for the next.

"I'm looking forward to closing out this year on a high note and already looking forward to the next."

The Raiders are scheduled to travel to Ancilla College tomorrow for a double header at 3PM.