Mott powers past GRCC 16-0 in District opener

MARYSVILLE, Mich. - The Mott Community College softball team opened play at the 2024 NJCAA Division II Great Lakes District Softball Championship with a resounding victory over Grand Rapids Community College on Thursday.

The Bears (34-11) dominated on both sides of the ball, scoring six in the first and eight in the fourth, hitting four home runs in a 16-0 win in five innings. Mott moves on in the double-elimination tournament to take on Lake Michigan College, which picked up two wins on Thursday to set up the meeting.

Game Highlights:

• Reigning MCCAA Eastern Conference Player of the Week Emma Benner crushed two home runs, both in the fourth inning, including a grand slam. She finished with three hits, three runs, and five RBIs.

• Taryn Murphy homered in the first inning, finishing with two hits, two runs, two RBIs, and a walk. 

• Heaven Helkowski went 4-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored, one RBI, and a stolen base. 

• Claire Ouellette hit her 11th home run of the season. 

• Megan Widner was 3-for-3 with three RBIs. 

• Maggie Boehm pitched all five innings, allowing no runs on three hits, striking out seven. She added two hits, including a double, and two runs scored at the plate. 

Up Next:

The Bears take on Lake Michigan for a spot in the championship round at 2 PM on Friday in Marysville.