Baseball team runs off three victories

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC baseball team returned from a successful spring trip with three straight lopsided victories.
The return began with a sweep of a doubleheader at Edison Community College in Ohio on March 20.

The Stars won in convincing fashion in both games, 18-5 in the first game and 16-3 in the second game.

LCC then came back to Michigan. The Stars won against conference foe Lake Michigan College on the road, 14-4, on March 22.

Stars infielder Shane Juday had two home runs and 12 runs batted in the doubleheader at Edison Community College. Juday also had three hits and two RBIs at Lake Michigan College.

Utility man Hunter Lay had two home runs and three RBI vs. Lake Michigan. Pitcher Cole Heikkinen earned the win on the mound, going an inning and a third and allowing no earned runs.

LCC Head Coach Steven Cutter spoke about his team’s scorching hot bats they brought back from the spring trip.

“We are known for our hitting, which we take great pride in,” Cutter said. “We have some of the best technology available for hitters, which is a significant factor in our players' development.

“The game of baseball is tough, but this team has really shown a propensity to put up some big numbers on offense. In the last three games combined, we have had 48 hits and 48 runs, which looks like video game numbers.”

Cutter also spoke about Lay, whose bat has awoken since the trip.

“Hunter is as talented as you will find and has continued to trust our hitting process,” Cutter said. “He gets pitched around often and has shown more patience at the plate recently, being more selective with balls in the zone that he can do damage with.”

The Stars came back from their spring trip with a 9-5 record after an extremely tough schedule.

“I am pleased with our performances down south,” Cutter said. “We faced a lot of adversity, close games and travel in between those games, and came out and played well. We really focused on the process and things like energy and effort, and it is less about the right side of the scoreboard.”

The Stars had some pleasant surprises on the trip. Cutter mentioned pitcher Hunter Shaw and outfielder Will Bowen as “welcome surprises,” while down south.

The Stars record improved to 12-5, and 1-0 in conference following the wins vs. Lake Michigan. The team’s next action is today (Friday, March. 24) at home vs. Glen Oaks CC.

The game will be the Stars' first game at home, and is a chance to go 2-0 in MCCAA Western Conference.  The game will be played at Kircher Municipal Stadium on Lansing’s west side. It is slated to start at 2 p.m.