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Mar. 7, 2026, WINTER HAVEN, FL – The Grand Rapids Community College softball team wrapped up its 16-game Spring Trip in Florida on a high note, winning its final two games Saturday with a 6-2 victory over Point Park University and a 10-0 run-rule win over SUNY Erie Community College in five innings.

The Raiders finished the trip on a four-game winning streak, improving to 11-5 overall, including an impressive 9-2 record against four-year programs. GRCC also played clean defense down the stretch, committing zero errors in the final two games.

Game 1: GRCC 6, Point Park 2

The Raiders used timely "small ball" and solid pitching to take down Point Park, out-hitting the Pioneers 10-6.

Bunts played a critical role in the win, as GRCC executed two sacrifice bunts and another bunt that turned into a hit, with each play eventually leading to a run. Freshman Kenady O'Leary was instrumental in the strategy, laying down two of the key bunts.

Freshman Megan Lillie continued her perfect start to the season, improving to 5-0 after allowing just two runs in 4.2 innings. Sophomore Lilly Klop closed the door, recording the final outs to earn her first save of the season.

Game 2: GRCC 10, SUNY Erie 0 (5 inn.)

GRCC wasted no time in the finale, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning after opening the game with a single, triple, and double.

O'Leary added another RBI triple in the second inning to extend the lead to 5-0 before Libby VanFleet followed with her second RBI of the game to make it 6-0. The Raiders put the game away in the fourth inning with a two-run single by Natalee Beck, an RBI double by Ava VanderKolk, and an RBI single from Klop.

Sophomore Kalani Stowe dominated in the circle, retiring the first nine batters she faced en route to a two-hit shutout. Stowe struck out nine batters in the five-inning victory.

A Strong Week at the Plate

GRCC's offense was explosive throughout the Florida trip, finishing the week with a .361 team batting average and six players hitting over .400. The Raiders scored 10 or more runs in seven of their 11 victories, posting a .532 slugging percentage with 52 extra-base hits while also swiping 56 stolen bases.

In the circle, the Raiders combined for a 2.99 ERA, striking out 90 batters while issuing just 37 walks.

Statistical Leaders

Freshman Ella Showers paced the offense, hitting .531 with 2 home runs, 16 RBIs, a .906 slugging percentage, and a .610 on-base percentage, while drawing eight walks and striking out just once in a team-high 41 plate appearances.

O'Leary led the team in triples (3) and runs scored (14) while batting .423, adding 12 RBIs and nine stolen bases. Lauren Wiley also scored 14 runs.

Stowe led the pitching staff with 13 stolen bases offensively and in the circle posted a 1.60 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and a .204 opponent batting average across 30.2 innings pitched.

Lillie finished the trip 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA while also batting .409. Klop contributed a .526 batting average with 10 RBIs and posted a 1.98 ERA with 18 strikeouts in the circle.

Additional strong performances included Caitlyn Horvath and Natalee Beck, who both hit .417 during the trip and played flawless defense with zero fielding errors.

Up Next

The Raiders now return to Michigan to prepare for the start of conference play, which begins March 20 in Sandusky, Ohio. During the three-day event, GRCC will face each of its five conference opponents once, beginning with a matchup against Muskegon Community College at 2 p.m. on March 20.

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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.