Apr. 22, 2026, ROCKFORD, MI – It was a day filled with milestones and momentum swings for Grand Rapids Community College, as the Raiders softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Aquinas College's varsity squad at the Meijer Sports Complex.

Earlier in the day, GRCC celebrated national recognition as Kenady O'Leary (softball) and Peter Heintz (baseball) were named NJCAA Division II Players of the Week following remarkable performances. O'Leary hit an astounding .714 on the week, highlighted by a 6-for-7 performance in which she hit for the cycle. Heintz was equally dominant, batting .750 with four home runs—including two grand slams—in a milestone stretch at the plate.

Game 1: GRCC 5, Aquinas 1

Despite early missed opportunities, the Raiders broke through late to secure a 5-1 victory in the opener.

GRCC threatened early, placing runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings but coming up empty. The breakthrough came in the fourth inning when Paige Arthur delivered a clutch two-run single to give the Raiders the lead.

Aquinas answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but GRCC continued to build separation. Ava VanderKolk, who finished with two doubles, drove in a run in the sixth inning. The Raiders added two more in the seventh on an RBI single by Lauren Wiley and a groundout from Violet McWhinnie.

In the circle, Stowe improved to 9-4 with a dominant outing, allowing just three hits. After Aquinas put a runner on to start the seventh, Megan Lillie entered and shut the door, retiring the final three batters to secure the win.

Offensively, Libby VanFleet, VanderKolk, and Caitlin Horvath each recorded two hits as part of GRCC's nine-hit effort. Arthur also made her mark defensively, turning a key double play unassisted in the third inning.

Game 2: Aquinas 5, GRCC 2

The Saints responded in game two, snapping GRCC's 12-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory and handing the Raiders just their eighth loss of the season (30-8).

Aquinas struck early with a leadoff double followed by an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. The game turned in the fourth inning, when the Saints scored four runs in a chaotic frame—only one of which was earned.

GRCC starter Tia Schone (4-3) settled in after the fourth, retiring the final nine batters she faced in a strong finish.

The Raiders managed two runs in the loss. Grace Salley drove in a run with a double in the fourth inning and later added a sacrifice fly in the sixth, scoring Natalee Beck, who reached on a double.

Both teams finished with seven hits, but Aquinas capitalized on GRCC miscues in the decisive fourth inning. Klop led the Raiders with two hits, including a deep double at the centerfield wall.

Up Next

GRCC will return to conference play to finish its five-game series against Alpena Community College. The Raiders will travel for four games, with doubleheaders scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

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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.