Box Score

Weather: Cloudy, Cool, 43 degrees
What: Region XII Tournament - Losers Bracket 1st Round - Game 6
Who: GRCC the #5 seed (18-24) - MCC the #1 seed (35-18)

Battle Creek, Mich. -- After a lackluster performance in the opening game of the Region XII baseball tournament, GRCC staved off elimination by beating, and eliminating, the number one seeded Muskegon Community College 3-2. The Raiders stay alive in this double elimination tournament and will face the loser of the Jackson Community College and Sinclair Community College tilt. The game is scheduled for 8:00p.m. tonight (May 16) at Nichols Field in Battle Creek, Michigan. Muskegon is the first team to be eliminated from the regional after losing yesterday (May 15) to Vincennes University 6-4.

GRCC's pitching staff was pummeled in the Raider's tournament opener yesterday (May 15), eventually losing 17-3 to Kellogg Community College. The Raiders, with their back's against the wall, delivered a dominating pitching performance. Kyle Schweiger started the game for GRCC and lasted seven solid innings. Schweiger received the win, his second of the season. In seven innings Schweiger only allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out seven batters and only walking one. "Kyle was in complete control out there and he really stepped up big for us when we needed it most" said Mike Cupples, GRCC's head baseball coach. In the eighth inning Matt Brown took over for Schweiger and picked up right where Kyle left off. Brown entered the game with the Raiders up 3-2 pitched two scoreless innings, recording the save and ensuring the victory for GRCC.

With GRCC leading 3-2 going into the 8th inning, two outstanding defensive plays allowed the Raider's baseball team to advance. In the 8th inning after two ground outs to Eloff, Muskegon's Stephon Chandonnet hit a single to right field, and instead of stopping at first, Chandonnet tried to stretch his hit into a double. Wes Vaughn, GRCC's right fielder, had other thoughts and riffled a throw to short stop Jacob Waters who tagged Chandonnet out at second. The second outstanding defensive play came in the 9th inning. With one out, Muskegon's Nick MacGirr pinched hit for Hunter Stinger and recorded a base hit. Luke Bunting was the next batter and struck out swinging. In desperation, Muskegon tried to steal second base on the same play but was turned away by a great throw from catcher Nick Black to short stop Jacob Waters that ended the game. Strike 'em out, throw 'em out to eliminate the top seed and live to play another game.

GRCC will next play the loser of the Jackson CC/Sinclair CC game at 8:00p.m.,

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