Sophomore Day sweep for GOCC softball

Glen Oaks Community College celebrated Sophomore Day with a doubleheader sweep of Kalamazoo Valley Community College (Cougars) on Sunday in MCCAA Western Conference play at Glen Oaks Community College. The Vikings honored Grace Blanchard and Audrie Dugan, who have been pillars for the program over the last two seasons, in style, improving to 26-10 overall and 18-4 in league play. GOCC currently holds a three-game lead in the Western Conference. 

Game 1
The bottom of the lineup powered Glen Oaks to a 10-6 victory over Kalamazoo Valley in the opener. Braylyn Hernandez (FR, RF), Hannah Brinks (FR, 1B), and Kaidee Gonser (FR, C) combined for eight of the Vikings' 15 hits, scoring four runs and driving in four.

Sophomore Grace Blanchard (SO, SS) led the offense with three hits in four at-bats, including a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Kalamazoo Valley opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run single, but Glen Oaks answered in the second. Brinks singled down the left field line, Hernandez added an RBI single, and Cassie Holland (FR, CF) contributed a sacrifice fly to give the Vikings a 3-2 lead.

Glen Oaks extended the advantage to 6-2 in the third inning on solo home runs from Audrie Dugan (SO, P) and Grace Zimmerman (FR, 3B), along with an RBI single from Hernandez.

Kalamazoo Valley added a solo home run in the sixth, but Blanchard answered with a solo shot in the bottom half.

Dugan earned the win, allowing six hits and five runs over four innings while striking out four and walking six. Brooklynn Root (FR, P) recorded the save.

The Vikings finished with 15 hits, led by Brinks' 4-for-4 performance and Hernandez's 3-for-4 day with three RBIs. Maddy Lewis (FR, 2B) and Blanchard also had multiple hits. Glen Oaks stole three bases and committed no errors.

Game 2
Glen Oaks completed the sweep with a 15-11 win over Kalamazoo Valley in a high-scoring second game. 

Kourtney Zarycki (FR, LF) drove in seven runs on four hits to lead the Vikings, highlighted by a grand slam in the second inning. She also added a two-run single in the fourth and an RBI single in the fifth.

Kalamazoo Valley scored six runs in the top of the second inning on a combination of extra-base hits and a three-run home run. Glen Oaks responded immediately, erupting for eight runs in the bottom half to take an 8-6 lead, with Zarycki's grand slam providing the key swing.

Blanchard added a solo home run in the third inning. Kalamazoo Valley answered with a two-run home run in the fourth, but Glen Oaks extended its lead in the bottom half with four runs, including a two-run single from Zarycki and a two-run home run by Gonser.

The Vikings totaled 16 hits, with Hernandez (FR, C), Dugan (SO, CF), Gonser, and Holland (FR, P) each collecting multiple hits. Glen Oaks also drew five walks, stole three bases, and turned a double play.

Root earned the win in relief, allowing three hits and two runs over one and two-thirds innings. Holland started and allowed six runs (none earned) over one and two-thirds innings. Dugan also appeared in relief, and Brinks (FR, P) secured the save.

Kalamazoo Valley recorded 13 hits in the game, including five from the Cougars' leadoff hitter, while adding two double plays defensively.