MAY 2, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball and softball teams put an emphatic exclamation point on their conference championship seasons, each completing weekend sweeps of Bay College in decisive fashion.
BASEBALL ROLLS INTO POSTSEASON ON 13-GAME WIN STREAK
The Raiders continued their late-season surge, winning 15-5 (6 innings) and 19-3 (5 innings) to improve to 26-12 overall and 22-3 in conference play, extending their winning streak to 13 games.
In game one, GRCC delivered a complete offensive performance, scoring in every inning and erupting for eight runs in the sixth to trigger the run rule. The finale came in dramatic fashion as Cannon Paul launched a two-run walk-off home run. Paul and Carter Gulick each finished with two hits and three RBI, leading an 11-hit attack.
On the mound, Landon Terry (6-1) was sharp, tossing 5.1 innings with six strikeouts, while Sam Schmuker closed things out by retiring both batters he faced.
Game two saw more of the same offensive firepower. The Raiders plated seven runs in the opening inning and again scored in every frame, finishing with 10 hits while capitalizing on 12 free bases (10 walks, 2 hit-by-pitches).
Peter Heintz continued his standout season, blasting his team-leading eighth home run and driving in four runs. Michael Hurlbutt added a bases-clearing triple as part of a three-RBI performance.
On the hill, Conner Marciniak (3-3) earned the win with three innings of work and four strikeouts. Owen Waha and Ryan Delora each contributed scoreless relief appearances.
The Raiders will wrap up the regular season Monday at home against Lansing Community College before turning their attention to regional play, which begins Thursday at home against an opponent to be announced.
SOFTBALL STAYS RED-HOT, EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO EIGHT
The Raiders softball team matched the dominance of their baseball counterparts, securing 15-0 and 13-3 run-rule victories to improve to 38-8 overall and 23-2 in conference play, extending their winning streak to eight games.
In game one, Kalani Stowe (11-4) delivered a near-flawless performance in the circle, allowing just two baserunners (one hit, one walk) while striking out 12 over five innings. She also contributed at the plate with her first home run of the season—a three-run blast—as part of a big offensive day.
The Raiders again scored in every inning, highlighted by a seven-run second inning that featured RBI triples from Stowe and Ava VanderKolk. GRCC tallied 13 hits, with every player recording at least one hit and one RBI.
Game two saw Megan Lillie (14-0) remain perfect on the season, striking out four in another commanding win. The offense stayed relentless, plating runs in every inning, including a six-run fourth.
Freshman Tia Schone led the charge with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, including a double. Violet McWhinnie, VanderKolk, Beck, Lauren Wiley, and Ella Showers all added extra-base hits in the victory.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the conference championship secured, the softball team now turns its focus to postseason play. The Raiders earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the regional tournament and will open play Wednesday, May 6 at 3:30 p.m. against the winner of Oakland Community College vs. Lansing Community College.
Meanwhile, the baseball team will look to carry its momentum into the postseason following its regular season finale Monday.
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