March 28, 2022 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team dropped two close decisions to open up MCCAA conference play against Mid Michigan College on Monday; 6-4 in game one and 2-1 in the nightcap.
 

GRCC battled back from a 5-0 deficit in the series opener, including a stretch of three home runs in the fifth and the sixth innings, to narrow the score to 5-4. Trailing 6-4, GRCC had chances to score in the top of the final inning, but left two men stranded.
 

Max Varon, Ryan Dykstra and Dylan Chargo's home runs contributed to three of the Raiders five total hits.  Mid Michigan had 12 hits.
 

Caleb Engelsman took the loss, giving up five unearned runs while striking out three.
 

GRCC's starter Jerad Berkenpas pitched superbly in the second game, allowing just one hit through six innings.
 

With his team up 1-0, Berkenpas got the first Mid Michigan batter of the bottom of the seventh to foul out. But he yielded to the bullpen after allowing a walk and hitting a batter.
 

Reliever Eliott Traver retired the first batter he faced, but Mid Michigan's next two batters singled to score two and celebrate a walk-off victory.
 

Dykstra hit his third home run of the season. Engelsman and Camden Keatley had the other two Raider hits.
 

The sweep leaves GRCC's record at 4-12. The teams will be back in action March 29 and 2 p.m. at Belknap Park to finish the season series.