Apr. 1, 2026, ROCKFORD, MI – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team continued its hot streak on Wednesday, rallying from an early deficit to defeat Aquinas College JV, 8-6, in a nine-inning non-conference contest on the road.

The victory marks the seventh consecutive win for the Raiders, who improve to 10-10 on the season.

GRCC found itself in an early hole, trailing 5-1 through five innings and managing just three hits during that stretch. However, the offense came alive late, while a deep pitching staff kept the game within reach.

Freshman Sam Vanneste got the start on the mound, tossing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts. The Raiders utilized seven pitchers in total, combining for 12 strikeouts while allowing just two earned runs. Cam Schader earned his first win of the season with two solid innings in relief, and Aiden Friess shut the door in the ninth, striking out the final batter to secure the save.

Offensively, GRCC tallied 11 hits on the day, with 10 different players recording at least one. A.J. Speigl led the way as the only Raider with multiple hits, finishing with two.

The Raiders began chipping away in the sixth inning when Speigl doubled to spark the rally. With two outs, Peter Heintz delivered an infield single to score Speigl, and Haiden Noakes followed two batters later with an RBI single to bring GRCC within 5-3.

GRCC pulled even closer in the seventh, cutting the deficit to 5-4, before taking control in the eighth inning in dramatic fashion. Despite not recording a hit in the frame, the Raiders capitalized on timely execution, highlighted by a clutch safety squeeze from sophomore Jameson Beale that plated the go-ahead run. GRCC added two more runs in the inning to take a 7-5 lead.

An insurance run in the ninth inning provided breathing room before Friess closed out the game to preserve the 8-6 win.

In total, 25 Raiders saw action in the game, showcasing the team's depth in both the lineup and on the mound.

GRCC will look to keep its momentum going in its next contest, a nine-inning non-conference matchup at home against Lake Michigan College, scheduled for 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.