Apr. 11, 2025, MUSKEGON, MI – Grand Rapids Community College's baseball and softball teams turned in dominant performances on Friday, sweeping doubleheaders on the road against Muskegon Community College in convincing fashion. Both teams remained atop their respective conference standings with the victories.

Softball: Raiders Sweep Jayhawks with Pitching and Power

Game 1: GRCC 9, MCC 1 (5 innings)

The Raiders wasted no time in setting the tone, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Grace Chisek sparked the rally with an RBI double, and Violet McWhinnie added an RBI groundout. Muskegon responded with a leadoff double and a run in the bottom half, but that would be all they could muster against GRCC starter Natalee Beck.

Beck (2-0) was dominant, retiring 14 of the final 15 batters she faced. GRCC broke the game open in the fifth inning, scoring six more runs. Grace Salley led off the frame with a single, and RBI hits from Beck, Maddie Miller, McWhinnie, and a two-run triple by Chisek sealed the run-rule victory.

Chisek and Salley each recorded two of GRCC's nine hits, with Chisek driving in three runs. McWhinnie, the reigning conference player of the week, extended her hitting streak to six games.

Game 2: GRCC 3, MCC 0

In the nightcap, the Raiders were held quiet until the fifth inning when Salley again provided the spark with a leadoff double. Ashlyn Reagan followed with an RBI single to break the scoreless tie. In the sixth, Kalani Stowe led off with a single and later scored on Chisek's RBI hit. Chisek then stole two bases and crossed home on a groundout from McWhinnie to make it 3-0.

Stowe (11-0), last week's conference pitcher of the week, was masterful once again. She struck out 12 and reached a milestone with her 100th career strikeout in the third inning. She now has 108 strikeouts on the season.

GRCC finished with four hits compared to Muskegon's five but capitalized when it mattered most. With the sweep, the Raiders improved to 26-3 overall and 12-1 in conference play.

Baseball: Raiders Bats Explode in Road Sweep

Game 1: GRCC 15, MCC 2 (6 innings)

GRCC exploded for 17 hits in a one-sided opener, with eight of nine starters collecting at least one hit. Joey Hysell led the charge, going 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI. Jack Lockwood opened the game with a triple and scored on a Ty Sandwick single to ignite the offense.

The Raiders added four more in the second inning, including Hysell's team-leading fourth home run of the season. They continued to pile on with three runs in the fifth and a seven-run outburst in the sixth.

Andrew Pohlmann (4-1), last week's conference pitcher of the week, earned the win with five strong innings, striking out nine and allowing no earned runs. Lockwood went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Sandwick, Peter Heintz, Cannon Paul, Carter Gulick, and Xavier Allen all recorded two hits apiece.

Game 2: GRCC 9, MCC 5

The Raiders picked up where they left off, jumping out to a 7-0 lead before the Jayhawks began to chip away. Muskegon closed the gap to 8-5, but GRCC added an insurance run in the final inning to secure the sweep.

Freshman second baseman Haiden Noakes starred, going a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, including his first collegiate home run. Lockwood, Sandwick, Hysell, and Paul each chipped in with two hits as the Raiders out-hit MCC 13-4.

Thano Klett (6-0) remained unbeaten, pitching five innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out four. Gavin Dunn earned the save in two innings of work, and had four strikeouts while only giving up one hit. 

GRCC improved to 17-14 overall and 11-2 in the conference with the pair of wins.

Next Up:

The Raiders and Jayhawks will resume their four-game series on Saturday at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 1:00 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.