Vikings rally for two wins over Jackson

Glen Oaks Community College hosted Jackson College in an MCCAA Western Conference softball doubleheader Sunday, earning a sweep with a 10-9 victory in Game 1 and a 9-7 win in Game 2.

Game 1
Glen Oaks built an early lead and held off a late push from Jackson College to secure a 10-9 win. The Vikings scored five runs in the first inning and added three more in the second to take early control.

Freshman center fielder Cassie Holland (FR) and freshman second baseman Maddy Lewis (FR) helped spark the offense at the top of the lineup, while sophomore pitcher Audrie Dugan (SO) contributed both in the circle and on the bases. Freshman left fielder Kourtney Zarycki (FR) and freshman third baseman Grace Zimmerman (FR) each drove in runs to support the early surge.

Sophomore shortstop Grace Blanchard (SO) delivered a key performance, recording two hits including a home run and driving in three runs. Freshman first baseman Hannah Brinks (FR) also homered and finished with two RBIs. Freshman catcher Kaidee Gonser (FR) and freshman right fielder Elizabeth Flores (FR) added to the offensive effort.

Jackson College rallied with a five-run third inning and added four more runs across the fifth and sixth innings to tighten the score. Dugan earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings with five strikeouts before freshman pitcher Brooklynn Root (FR) closed out the final 1.2 innings.

Game 2
Glen Oaks completed the sweep with a 9-7 victory, using a six-run fifth inning to break open a tight game.

The Vikings struck first with three runs in the opening inning before Jackson College answered with a three-run third inning to tie the game. Jackson College later took a 5-3 lead after scoring in the fifth.

Glen Oaks responded with its decisive rally in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman right fielder Braylyn Hernandez (FR) collected two hits and drove in two runs, while Zarycki added a two-run home run. Zimmerman continued her strong day with three hits and an RBI, and Gonser contributed a run-scoring double.

Freshman first baseman Brinks added two hits and an RBI, and Lewis reached base twice and scored two runs to help pace the offense.

Freshman pitcher Cassie Holland (FR) earned the complete-game victory, allowing seven runs (three earned) on 12 hits while striking out two.

Glen Oaks finished with 23 hits across the doubleheader, moving to 21-9 overall and 14-4 to remain atop the MCCAA Western Conference standings.