Apr. 19, 2026, MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – It was a day that will live in Grand Rapids Community College athletics history.

The Raiders softball and baseball teams completed a dominant five-game conference series sweep of Mid Michigan College on Sunday, highlighted by a staggering offensive explosion, individual milestones, and continued momentum atop the conference standings. With the wins, both programs strengthened their hold on first place.

SOFTBALL: RECORDS FALL IN 39-RUN EXPLOSION

In one of the most remarkable games in program history, GRCC softball delivered a jaw-dropping 39-13 (5 innings) victory in Game 1 — setting school records for both runs (39) and hits (33).
The game started in chaotic fashion, as GRCC scored three runs in the first inning before Mid Michigan answered with five unearned runs, capitalizing on five rare Raider errors. That only ignited the Raiders' offense.

GRCC erupted for nine runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Abbie Critchett, who finished just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle on her birthday. Mid Michigan stayed within striking distance early, pulling to within 15-13 after three innings.

Then came an inning for the ages.

The Raiders exploded for a program-record 20 runs in the fourth inning, sending 23 batters to the plate — with five players batting three times in the inning alone. GRCC added four more runs, capped by a two-run home run from Kenady O'Leary, completing the cycle in a historic performance.

O'Leary led the offensive onslaught, going 6-for-7 with 6 RBI and 7 runs, including two doubles, a triple, and a home run. Critchett added a 4-for-5 performance with six runs scored, while:

• Natalee Beck: 3-for-3, 4 RBI
• Violet McWhinnie: 2-for-4, 6 RBI, 5 runs, HR
• Lauren Wiley: 4-for-6, 3 RBI, 3 runs
• Ella Schram: 5-for-6, 5 RBI, 4 runs, 2B, 3B
• Tia Schone: 3-for-4, 5 RBI, 4 runs, 2B (2)

Megan Lillie earned the win in relief to improve to 12-0, while Beck closed the game with 2.2 dominant innings to earn her second save.

Notably, only one NCAA team at any level has scored more than 39 runs in a game this season.

GRCC carried that momentum into Game 2, jumping out to a 10-0 lead and securing a 13-5 (6 innings) win to complete the sweep.

Beck stayed perfect at the plate, finishing 7-for-7 on the day after a 4-for-4 performance with three RBI and two doubles in Game 2. Additional top performers included:

• Ava VanderKolk: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, triple
• Paige Arthur: 3-for-4, HR (first of season)
• Tia Schone: Complete-game win (6 IP), 7 strikeouts, 1 walk

The Raiders have now won 11 straight games, improving to 29-7 overall and 15-2 in conference play.

BASEBALL: POWER SURGE COMPLETES THE SWEEP

The GRCC baseball team backed up the softball fireworks with a sweep of its own, earning 13-9 and 8-2 victories to improve to 18-12 overall and 14-3 in conference play.

In Game 1, Peter Heintz set the tone early with a solo home run in the second inning. After GRCC built a 6-0 lead, Mid Michigan stormed back with seven unanswered runs.

The Raiders responded emphatically.

Gabe Stouffer and Carter Gulick launched back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning to reclaim the lead, and later in the inning, Heintz delivered again with his second home run of the game — giving him a team-high seven on the season. Heintz reached base in all five plate appearances, drawing three intentional walks in addition to his two homers.

Stouffer, Gulick, and Heintz each collected two hits in the win, while Sam Schmuker earned his first victory with four strong innings of relief, striking out six.

In Game 2, GRCC rode a balanced attack and dominant pitching to an 8-2 win.

• AJ Speigl: 3 hits, 2 RBI
• Jack Lockwood: 2 hits, double
• Michael Hurlbutt: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

Landon Terry continued his standout season, improving to 5-1 after tossing five shutout innings in relief, allowing just two hits and striking out six. Starter Connor Marciniak added four strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Raiders now turn their attention to upcoming non-conference play before returning to conference action.

Baseball travels to face Kalamazoo Valley Community College on April 21 for a doubleheader before resuming conference play against Alpena Community College on April 24-25.

Softball heads to Aquinas College on April 22 for a non-conference doubleheader before it's trip to Alpena. 

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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.