March 7, 2024, CALEDONIA, Mich. -- Austin Gates and Tommy Reid hit walk off singles to help the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team to its fourth straight win after sweeping Mott Community College on Thursday.

GRCC's offense combined for 23 hits and its pitching staff struck out a total of 17 batters in 5-4 and 9-8 victories, that both went to an extra inning.

In game one, down 1-0, Xavier Allen (3-for-4) put the the Raiders on the board in the fourth with a double. Joey Hysell and Trevin Laming knocked in two more runs to make it 3-1.  But in the top of the fifth Mott regained the lead by scoring three of its own.

Aaron Bess (3-for-3) led the bottom of the fifth off with a single and Reid drove him home two batters later.  The score would remain 4-4, until the bottom of the eighth when Allen would lead off with a single. After a fielder's choice and sac bunt moved Allen to third, Austin Gates stepped to the plate and drilled in the game winning run to dead center.

Lucas McKinney got the start and struck out four in five innings of work.  Camden Seth picked up the win, pitching three innings of relief and giving up just one run.

The nightcap was also back and forth with runs being scored in all of the first five innings.  With the score tied at eight, both teams failed to score in the next two innings so for the second consecutive game we would head to an extra inning. 

A Raider miscue allowed Mott's lead off batter to reach second to begin the eighth, but was forced out at third on the next batter after a great heads up play from shortstop Chad Fisher.  Canyen Veldhouse got out of the jam after a fly out to right and his fifth punch out.

After a lead off ground out, Dylan Nguyen (3-for-4) drew a walk and stole his third base of the game.  An errant throw would allow Nguyen to advance to third on the next play, Reid would hit the game winner to left-center field.

Trevin Laming and Seth each had three hits to lead GRCC. The Raiders totaled seven stolen bases in the game.

Colton Blankstrom got the start and in 3.2 innings had six strikeouts before exiting the game.  Veldhouse pitched the final 4.1 and improved to 2-1 after the victory. 

MCCAA Baseball Standings

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Interested in supporting GRCC Athletics?  All donations can be done through GRCC Athletic's Scholarship Fund and can specify what scholarship fund the gift is going to, such as the Hofmann scholarship. If you have any questions on how to support Athletics at Grand Rapids Community College, contact the Athletic Department via phone at (616) 234-3883 or email grccathletics@grcc.edu. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.