Stars sweep the Jets despite rough weather

By Brodee Gillam

Staff Writer

Despite the Michigan weather clouding over Westside Park, the season has been bright for LCC. The baseball Stars were No. 16 in the NJCAA Division II rankings on April 16, after being unranked just two weeks ago.

After sweeping the doubleheader with Jackson College on April 16 (13-10, 5-4) the Stars are sitting at 23-5 overall.

Following the sweep over the Jets, LCC was 16-1 in the past 17 games, even amongst constant mishap with the weather.

In the first game, the Jets got out to a 6-3 lead due to multiple errors by the Stars. But after struggling against the Jets in first three innings, the Stars adjusted. A seven-run fourth inning, followed by a three-run sixth, was all that she wrote for Jackson College.

LCC Head Coach Jordan Keur said the team's ability to fight through adversity is crucial.

"Early on in that game, we gave them a lot of runs," Keur said. "We weren't playing our best baseball; our pitchers weren't getting ahead in the count. … We talk about 'how do we respond when things aren't going well or going your way?'

"The guys put good at-bats together; good at-bat after good at-bat and stuck to the approach. We exploded for seven runs that inning to take the lead, which was awesome."

The Jackson College doubleheader was scheduled to be played at the Stars' home field on April 14. However, Mother Nature did not allow that to happen. With weather conditions being an issue, the games were played at Jackson College. This is the eighth time this season LCC has had games postponed or cancelled due to rain or snow.

Keur said despite the struggles that come with weather's unpredictability, the team has to be focused.

"Mentally it takes a little bit of a toll," Keur said. "At the same time, like we've talked about … the message we're trying to get across is staying locked in. Expecting to play baseball, whether it's home or away or whatever the weather is. Expect to play the game."