Mar. 30, 2025, SANDUSKY, OH – The Grand Rapids Community College softball team put on a clinic over the weekend, going a perfect 5-0 in Sandusky, Ohio, against conference opponents. The dominant performance improved the Raiders' record to an impressive 20-1 overall and a flawless 7-0 in conference play. With the five wins, GRCC extended its winning streak to 13 games, further solidifying itself as the team to beat in the MCCAA Northern Conference. 

A Weekend of Dominance

Over the five-game stretch, the Raiders overwhelmed their opponents in every aspect of the game:

• Outscored opponents 54-10
• Team batting average: .436 vs. opponent's .184
• Slugging percentage: .677 vs. opponent's .254
• Stolen bases: 24-0
• Extra-base hits: 22-6

On the pitching side, the Raiders' staff maintained a stellar 1.81 ERA, racking up 47 strikeouts in 31 innings, while opponents struggled at the plate with a .184 batting average.

Individual Standouts

The Raiders had standout performances across the board, with 10 players batting .400 or better and five hitting above .500. Leading the charge were:

• Evelyn McEachen – .538 BA, 4 doubles
• Kalani Stowe – .529 BA, team-high 5 extra-base hits (including a homer), 10 runs, 9 hits, .636 OBP, and 10 steals
• Grace Chisek – .500 BA, 7 RBIs, 5 extra-base hits, 1.000 SLG %, first collegiate HR
• Natalee Beck – .438 BA, 10 RBIs, 4 extra-base hits, first collegiate HR
• Paige Arthur – Hit her first collegiate home run
• Stowe (Pitching) – 3-0 record, 0.74 ERA, 32 strikeouts in 19 innings, opponents hit just .108

Game Recaps

Game 1 – Friday vs. Mid Michigan College (W, 11-2, 5 innings)

The Raiders kicked off the weekend with a commanding 11-2 win. Stowe powered the offense with her second homer of the season while also earning the win in the circle, striking out eight and allowing just three hits. The offense produced 11 hits, including multi-hit games from Stowe, Beck, Maddie Miller, and Lauren Wiley.

Game 2 – Friday vs. Bay College (W, 20-0, 5 innings)

GRCC exploded for 20 runs on 18 hits. McEachen had a perfect 4-for-4 day with three RBIs, while Beck drove in five runs with a double and a triple. Bay College managed just one hit as Elizabeth VanFleet improved to 5-0, striking out six in four innings.

Game 3 – Saturday vs. Alpena Community College (W, 16-7)

Every Raider in the lineup recorded a hit in the 17-hit performance. Grace Salley led the team with three hits, while Arthur and Beck each launched their first collegiate home runs. Macey Springer (3-1) picked up the win, striking out six in 5.2 innings.

Game 4 – Saturday vs. Delta College (W, 3-0)

In a more tightly contested battle, GRCC relied on pitching and timely hitting. Back-to-back doubles from Beck and Chisek gave the Raiders an early lead, while small-ball execution in the fourth extended it to 3-0. Chisek had two of the team's season-low three hits. Stowe was brilliant, allowing just two hits and striking out 12 in a complete-game shutout.

Game 5 – Sunday vs. Muskegon Community College (W, 4-1)

The Raiders wrapped up their perfect weekend with a 4-1 win. Stowe once again led the way, opening the game with a double and finishing with three hits. Chisek blasted her first collegiate home run, and Stowe capped off the victory by striking out the side in the seventh. She finished the game with 12 strikeouts while allowing just three hits.

Looking Ahead

The Raiders will look to keep their momentum rolling as they hit the road again for a doubleheader against Glen Oaks Community College on April 1, with the first game set to begin at 3 p.m. 

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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.