Apr. 11, 2026, MUSKEGON, MI – The Grand Rapids Community College softball team delivered a commanding performance Saturday afternoon, sweeping Muskegon Community College in dominant fashion to secure a 4-1 series victory, while the Raider baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader but still claimed the five-game season series, 3-2.

Softball Stays Red-Hot, Extends Conference Lead

GRCC softball continued its torrid stretch, rolling to 13-1 and 10-0 victories—both in five innings—to extend its winning streak against Muskegon to four straight games. The Raiders improve to 24-7 overall and 11-2 in conference play, now holding a three-game lead atop the standings. Muskegon, which entered the weekend in first place, falls to 16-9 (10-5).

The Raider pitching staff was nearly flawless, allowing just two hits all day.

In game one, GRCC wasted no time jumping ahead with a four-run first inning. Violet McWhinnie drove in a run before sophomore Grace Salley launched a three-run home run to set the tone. Muskegon managed its only run of the day in the bottom half—an unearned run following a leadoff hit—but freshman pitcher Megan Lillie (10-0) shut the door from there, retiring the final 15 batters she faced while striking out five.

The Raider offense stayed aggressive, adding three runs in the second, five in the fourth, and one in the fifth to enforce the run rule. Salley starred at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two three-run home runs and six RBIs, while McWhinnie added a 3-for-4 performance with four RBIs. Tia Schone and Ava VanderKolk each chipped in two hits.

Game two followed a similar script. After plating one run in the first, GRCC broke things open with a six-run second inning highlighted by five doubles—including four consecutive—and two sacrifice bunts. The Raiders tacked on three more runs in the fourth.

Kalani Stowe (7-4) was dominant in the circle, retiring the first seven batters she faced and allowing just one hit while striking out four. GRCC totaled 11 hits, led by Natalee Beck's 3-for-4, two-RBI effort, while Lauren Wiley and Abbie Critchett added two hits apiece.

Baseball Drops Two, Still Secures Series Win

The Raider baseball team saw its 10-game winning streak snapped in a high-scoring 14-12 loss in game one before falling 7-3 in the finale. Despite the setbacks, GRCC wins the season series 3-2 and now sits at 13-12 overall and 10-3 in conference play, tied for first place with Mid Michigan College.

Game one featured an explosive start for GRCC, which plated six runs in the opening inning behind five hits.

Muskegon responded immediately with seven runs of its own in the bottom half. The Raiders regained momentum with two runs in the second and appeared in control after Peter Heintz crushed a grand slam in the third to make it 12-7.

However, Muskegon answered again with three runs in the third and four more in the fourth, and both teams were held scoreless the rest of the way. Heintz finished with five RBIs, while Andrew Conrad collected three hits and drove in two runs.

Game two turned into a pitchers' duel early, with both teams held scoreless and limited to one hit through four innings. GRCC broke through in the fifth when reigning conference Player of the Week AJ Speigl delivered an RBI single to score Henry Streeter.

Muskegon responded with a decisive six-run bottom of the fifth. The Raiders added two runs in the seventh but couldn't close the gap, finishing with six hits—two from Speigl.

Up Next

Both Raider squads return to action on Tuesday, April 14. Softball will travel to Indiana Tech for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m., while baseball will take on Aquinas College in a nine-inning contest. Conference play resumes April 17 as both teams continue their series with Mid Michigan 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.