Mar. 1, 2026, MARIANNA & WINTER HAVEN, FL. – The Grand Rapids Community College softball team continued its strong start to the season Sunday, earning a pair of wins over four-year opponents, while the Raider baseball team closed out its four-game set against top-ranked Chipola College.

Softball Improves with Wins Over Marian (WI) and Alma

The Raiders (6-1) picked up two impressive victories on Day 3 of play, defeating Marian University 7-3 before topping Alma College 6-2.

Game 1 – GRCC 7, Marian (WI) 3

GRCC set the tone early with aggressive play at the plate. Caitlyn Horvath and Kalani Stowe both laid down bunt singles in the first two innings and each came around to score, helping the Raiders build a 2-0 advantage.

With the lead still intact in the fifth, Ella Showers and Lilly Klop delivered RBI hits to push the margin to 4-0. Marian responded with two unearned runs in the bottom half of the inning, but the Raiders answered emphatically with three more runs in the sixth to secure the win.

GRCC pounded out 13 hits while limiting Marian to just one hit in the contest.

Freshman catcher Ella Showers led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Kalani Stowe improved to 2-0 in the circle, striking out five over 5.1 innings of work. Natalee Beck closed out the final 1.2 innings in relief.

Game 2 – GRCC 6, Alma 2

Alma struck first in the third inning with back-to-back doubles to take a 1-0 lead, but the Raiders responded quickly.

GRCC answered with three runs, highlighted by a two-run triple from Abbie Critchett and an RBI double by Beck. The Raiders added three more in the sixth inning, with Violet McWhinnie delivering a key RBI double.

Megan Lillie improved to 2-0 on the season, tossing six strong innings and allowing just four hits. Klop handled the final inning, surrendering no hits to close out the victory.

GRCC returns to action Tuesday, March 3, with two more games in Florida, beginning with a 2:45 p.m. rematch against Marian (WI) followed by a 5 p.m. contest against Wartburg College.

Baseball Battles No. 1 Chipola

The Raider baseball team wrapped up its series against No. 1 ranked Chipola College Sunday, falling 22-2 and 13-9 on Day 2 of action.

Game 1 – Chipola 22, GRCC 2

GRCC's only runs came in the second inning on Gabe Stouffer's first collegiate home run. Cannon Paul and Owen Hendrix accounted for the Raiders' other two hits in the contest.

Game 2 – Chipola 13, GRCC 9

After Chipola plated seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, the Raiders responded in a big way. GRCC exploded for eight runs in the top of the second, highlighted by a three-run homer from sophomore Peter Heintz — his second home run of the season.

Heintz added another RBI in the seventh inning, finishing with three hits and four RBIs. Paul also collected three hits as part of a nine-hit effort for GRCC. Stouffer, Michael Hurlbutt, and Seth Bishoff recorded the other Raider hits.

The Raiders threatened late, loading the bases with one out in the final inning, but were unable to capitalize as the final two batters were retired.

GRCC will look to bounce back Monday, March 2, with a doubleheader at Tallahassee Community College.

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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.