Softball’s Megan Birr Named to NFCA DIV. II East All-Region Team
Freshman Meghan Birr Norton Shores, MI/Mona Shores HS) has been named to the NFCA Division II All-Region team this year.
Megan was also a standout player on MCC’s volleyball team, batted lead-off, and played center field. She completed the season with 0 errors in 42 total chances. She was second on the team in batting-average with a .382 overall and lead MCC in the conference at .429 and 10 stolen bases.
Here is a link to the full awards. https://nfca.org/index.php/awards/louisville-sluggernfca-all-americans/5835-2014-njcaa-di-all-region-teams
Softball Coach, Players Earn Conference, Regional Post-Season Honors
First-year MCC Softball Coach Ryan Schalk was named the 2014 Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference Coach of the Year, while several Jayhawk players also were named to the all-state and all-region teams. The honors were announced on Monday, May 12.
The league coaches honored Schalk for guiding the Jayhawks to a 20-14 record, including a 14-game win streak, and to third place finishes in both the MCCAA Western Conference and the NJCAA Region 12 Tournament.
“It’s nice because it’s voted on by all the coaches in our conference, but obviously more of the credit must go to the players, especially after everything we’ve been through this season,” said Schalk, who had been an MCC assistant coach for five seasons.
“We started out 1-8 playing against some of the best teams in the country down South. Then we were in the gym for a month and two weeks before we played our next games and went 1-3. But the players stuck with it and listened and we won the next 14 game in a row. We all had a pretty good idea of what we needed to do to be successful. I knew we’d be alright because we have good sophomores and leaders.”
Two MCC players, outfielder Megan Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/Sault Area) and pitcher Megan Vanderwal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View), won several accolades for the 2014 season. Both were named First Team All-Region 12, First Team All-MCCAA, and First Team MCCAA Western Conference. Jean was also voted to the Western Conference All-Freshman Team and, last week, was chosen to the NJCAA District G All-Tournament Team in Lansing, Mich.
Jean, who also was MCC’s second pitcher, led the Jayhawks with her .400 batting average and a .775 slugging percentage, 44 hits, six triples and seven home runs, 38 RBI. In the regionals, she hit .533 with two home runs. “She’s a really good hitter and could have been better but had an ankle injury halfway through the season,” said Schalk. “Her power numbers will be up more next year.”
MCC’s pitching ace Vanderwal finished 16-6 with 78 strikeouts and only 33 walks allowed with a 2.09 ERA. She finished 11-1 in league action. “In the conference, she dominated just about everybody,” said Schalk. “She was the only pitcher in the conference to beat Kalamazoo Valley.
Two Jayhawks players, Alyson Behnke (Charlotte, MI/Charlotte) and Meghan Birr (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores), landed spots on the All-MCCAA Western Conference Second Team. Infielder Emily Peake (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) was an honorable mention.
“Behnke was an outfielder but when our starting third baseman went down she played there and made only error,” said Schalk of his .342 hitter. The freshman Birr was the Jayhawks’ leadoff batter most of the season. She led the team with 33 singles and 29 runs scored, and was second with her .382 batting average. “She’s got good speed and contact and doesn’t strike out a lot,” said Schalk of his centerfielder who only struck out 10 times all season.
Peake, a sophomore, has hit over .300 each of the past two seasons. She was second this year on the team with her 23 RBI.
Softball Ends Season with Third Place Finish in the Regionals
The Jayhawks traveled to Lansing, Mich. to play in the NJCAA Region XII Championships on May 7-9. The Jayhawks played well going 3-2 and finishing third in the Region XII.
On Wednesday, May 7, MCC defeated Kellogg 4-1 before losing 13-4 to Kalamazoo Valley CC in five innings. On Thursday, MCC defeated Sinclair 4-1 and Owens 10-1, but was eliminated with an 8-4 loss to Kalamazoo Valley.
MCC, KVCC Split Softball Twin Bill; Jayhawks Headed to Regionals
Muskegon Community College won the first game 3-2 and dropped the second 13-3 to Kalamazoo Valley CC on Sunday, May 4.
In the opener Muskegon Community College took a 3-0 lead in the third inning in route to a 3-2 win over Kalamazoo Valley CC. Freshman Meghan Birr (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores HS) went a perfect 3-3 at the plate for Muskegon Community College. She singled in the first, third, and fourth innings. The Jayhawks relied on Sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) to eat up innings en route to the win. Megan allowed one earned run on eight hits and no walks, while striking out five over seven innings. MCC went up for good in the third, scoring three runs on an RBI double by Freshman Caten Teff ((Alpena, MI/Alpena HS) and two singles.
In the night cap Freshman Sarah Ferenz (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS) did her best to will the Jayhawks to a win with a three-hit game. She homered in the second inning and singled in the fourth and fifth innings but it wasn’t enough to stop KVCC from earning a split with a 13-3 win.
The Jayhawks play next at the NJCAA Region 12 Tournament May 7-9 in Lansing, Mich.
Megan VanderWal’s effort not enough in MCC’s 3-2 loss
Sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) both hit and pitched well for Muskegon Community College , but it wasn’t enough as Muskegon Community College fell to Kellogg CC 3-2 at Muskegon, MI on Saturday, April 26.
VanderWal was hot from the plate for MCC, going 3-3, drove in one, scored one, and then homered in the fifth inning. Freshman Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area HS) pitching was outstanding giving up just three hits, no earned runs, walked none, and struck out one. Jean was charged with the loss.
The Jayhawks will play next this Tuesday, April 29 against Kalamazoo Valley CC at home. Game time is 3pm at the Jayhawk Softball Field.
Muskegon CC uses big sixth inning to beat Kellogg CC, 9-1
Muskegon Community College beat Kellogg CC 9-1 in six innings on Saturday, April 26 in Muskegon, MI after a five-run explosion in the sixth inning.
The Jayhawks scored on a two-run single by freshman Megan Birr (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores HS) an RBI single by sophomore Emily Peake (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS). A couple of errors by Kellogg CC allowed a few more runs to score.
Sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) looked sharp on the rubber. Kellogg CC managed just three hits off of VanderWal, who allowed one earned run, walked one, and struck out three. The lead stayed with Muskegon Community College after the second, when they scored two runs on two singles, and then another run in the third and fourth.
The Jayhawks will play next Tuesday, April 29 against Kalamazoo Valley CC at home. Game time is 3pm at the Jayhawk Softball Field.
Softball Drops Both Games of a Double Header to Lansing CC, 6-1 and 11-1
Muskegon Community College came out firing, but couldn’t hang on to the lead, ending up on the losing side of both games of their Double Header 6-1 and 11-1 against Lansing CC on Friday, April 25 at Muskegon, Mich.
In game 1: Sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) was charged with the loss. She allowed six runs in six innings, walked two and struck out none. The lone run of the game for Muskegon Community College crossed the plate in the first inning on an RBI double by Sophomore Emily Peake (Muskegon,MI/Orchard View HS). Lansing CC never surrendered the lead after the fifth inning, scoring two runs on a two-run single by Jessica Wood.
In game 2: Freshman Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area HS) showed good control in the circle pitching for the Jayhawks, allowing no walks. She pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs and eight hits while striking out none. In the first inning, Muskegon Community College pushed across its only run of the day on an RBI triple by Jean. Lansing CC didn’t relinquish the lead after scoring four runs in the fourth inning. Lansing followed that with a two-run home run and an RBI single. Lansing CC piled on four more runs in the top of the sixth to win 11-1.
The Jayhawks will be action again at home against Kellogg CC, game time is 1pm.
Softball Wins 14th Consecutive Game; Undefeated and Tied for 1st in League
The MCC softball team ran its win streak to 14 games with an 8-4 victory over visiting Jackson CC on Wednesday, April 23.
Now 10-0 in the conference with six league games remaining, the Jayhawks were spearheaded by freshman Sarah Ferenz’s (Muskegon,MI/Reeths-Puffer) two home runs – one each in the third and fifth innings – and three RBI. MCC’s Caten Teff (Alpena, MI/Alpena) also homered in the seventh inning.
Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) recorded the win for MCC. She allowed four runs and seven hits over seven innings, with three strikeouts and a walk.
Muskegon Community College scored four runs in the third, keyed by Ferenz’s two-run home run that also brought home Hayley Brockelbank (Ludington, MI/Ludington). Two runs in the bottom of the fifth helped Jackson close its deficit to 6-4.
Softball Cruises by Lansing CC 6-2, 9-0
Emily Peake (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) went 2-3 including a home run as MCC defeated Lansing CC 6-2 in the opener of a doubleheader on Monday, April 21.
Peake singled in the second inning and homered in the sixth inning. Jayhawk pitcher Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) looked sharp, allowing no earned runs and striking out two in three innings. Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area) got the win in relief for Muskegon Community College. She pitched four innings and allowed two runs. MCC never relinquished the lead after scoring a run in the first inning on an RBI single by Megan Jean. The hosts tacked on another four runs in the second. Alyson Behnke (Charlotte, MI/Charlotte) singled to score Sydney Tharp (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores). Jean’s singled home two more runs.
In the nightcap, Mary Guidice (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) belted two of the Jayhawks’ four home runs to carry MCC to a 9-0 victory in six innings. The hosts pushed across five runs in the sixth inning. Megan Jean and Alyson Behnke produced the other home runs. Jean recorded the win on the mound, where she tossed six innings of shutout ball. She struck out two, walked one and surrendered six hits.
Softball Tops Ancilla 5-2 in Back-and-Forth Contest
Muskegon Community College outlasted Ancilla on Saturday, April 20 after five lead changes, squeaking out a 5-2 win at Donaldson, Ind. Muskegon Community College finally managed to grab the lead after a strong ninth inning.
The Jayhawks went up for good on a two-run triple by freshman Alyson Behnke (Charlotte, MI/Charlotte HS) off Ancilla’s pitcher Stephanie Lamm, bring home sophomore Mary Guidice (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) and freshman Megan Birr (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores HS).
Muskegon Community College relied on sophomore Megan VanderWal’s (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) pitching; nine innings and allowed one earned run, four hits, on four walks, while striking out six. The Jayhawks play again Monday, April 21 at home against Lansing CC, game time is 3pm.
Alyson Behnke Gives MCC a Late Push to Beat Ancilla, 4-0
Freshman Alyson Behnke (Charlotte, MI/Charlotte HS) brought home the go-ahead run to give Muskegon Community College the lead in the sixth inning, as the Jayhawks hung on to beat Ancilla 4-0 in Donaldson, Ind. on Saturday, April 20. After freshman Megan Birr (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) doubled, Alyson came to the plate with two outs in the sixth and singled, scoring Meghan.
The Jayhawks’ sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) kept Ancilla off the scoreboard for all seven innings she was on the rubber. She pitched a shutout, allowing no runs, on four hits, while striking out one. The Jayhawks play again Monday, April 21 at home against Lansing CC, game time is 3pm.
Megan Jean Throws No-hitter; MCC Sweeps Davenport JV 3-0, 11-3
MCC freshman pitcher Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area) recorded a no-hitter while striking out four batters and allowing only one walk in the Jayhawks; 3-0 victory over the visiting Davenport JV on Thursday, April 17.
MCC took the second game of the doubleheader by an 11-3 margin.
Jayhawk Caten Teff (Alpena, MI/Alpena) was drove in one and scored one run. She homered in the sixth inning.
In the second game, MCC jumped out to an early lead with eight runs in the first three innings. RBI doubles by Sarah Ferenz, Caten Teff, and Meghan Birr in the second inning fueled the Jayhawk offense. Ferenz racked up four RBIs on her two hits, including a three-run homer. Right hander Megan Jean got the win tossing a six hitter.
Softball Downs Lake Michigan 5-3, 12-4
Muskegon Community College’s three first-inning runs built an early lead that helped bring home a 5-3 win over Lake Michigan on Wednesday, April 16 in Benton Harbor, Mich.
In the second game, MCC won 12-4 on the strength of a seven-run seventh inning. Megan Jean had three RBIs on a pair of singles and a home run. Megan VanderWal got the win. She struck out five batters, walked two and surrendered seven hits.
A third inning rally that saw four runs cross the plate on an RBI double by Emily Peake, a two-run home run by Jessica Gillings, and an RBI single by Megan Jean.
The Jayhawks look to continue their winning streak Friday, April 18 at home against Glen Oaks CC.
Softball’s Emily Peake Perfect vs. Jackson
Sophomore Emily Peake (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) went 3-3 at the plate, sparking Muskegon Community College to a 5-0 victory in seven innings over Jackson CC on Saturday, April 12 at Muskegon Community College. She doubled in the first inning, homered in the fourth inning, and singled in the sixth inning. The Jayhawks never trailed after scoring one run in the fourth on a solo home run by Emily.
Sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) pitched seven innings and allowed no earned runs on eight hits. She worked her way out of a difficult bases loaded with no outs situation in the sixth inning.
The Jayhawks added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore Jessica Gillings (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores HS) singled scoring Freshman Alyson Behnke (Charlotte, MI/ Charlotte HS) to kick things off. That was followed by a sophomore Amanda Chaffee’s ( Bath, MI/Bath HS) single that brought home freshman Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area HS) and Gillings.
Softball Enjoys Big Seventh Inning in 11-0 Win over Grand Rapids CC
Muskegon Community College scored nine runs in the seventh to cap an 11-0 win over Grand Rapids CC on Friday, April 11 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Freshman Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area HS) racked up three RBIs on three hits for the Jayhawks. She doubled in the sixth inning and singled in the first and seventh innings.
Sophomore Megan VanderWal’s (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) 10 strikeouts helped the Jayhawks to the victory. MCC’s pitcher tossed seven innings of shutout ball and allowed only five hits.
The Jayhawks play tomorrow, Saturday, April 12 at home in Muskegon, Mich. against Jackson CC, game time is 1pm.
Softball Scores Twice in Ninth for 3-2 Win
Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) hopes every outing can go as well as it did on Sunday, April 6, when she allowed just three hits in MCC softball’s 3-2 victory over East Central at Kankakee, IL.
Amanda Chaffee (Bath, MI/Bath) helped the Jayhawks win in the ninth inning. With the score tied at 1-1, she doubled to score Megan Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/Sault Area). Sarah Ferenz (Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer) followed with a walk-off triple to score Chaffee, who finished with two extra-base hits. MCC’s Caten Teff (Alpena, MI/Alpena) belted a solo homer for the first score in the third inning.
Softball Drops Game to Illinois Central 7-5, Despite Great Hitting by Megan Jean
Freshman Megan Jean (Sault St. Marie, MI/Sault Area HS) went 2-4 and hit a home run, but Muskegon Community College still fell to Illinois Central 7-5 in seven innings on Saturday, April 5th at Kankakee, Ill. Juell Hodges got the win for Illinois Central despite allowing five runs over 6 1/3 innings.
Hodges struck out six, walked two, and surrendered 11 hits. Sophomore Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) ended up on the other side of the pitching decision. She allowed seven runs in seven innings, walked none, and struck out one.
Muskegon Community College jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. A solo blast by Jean started the inning for the Jayhawks. Illinois Central never trailed after scoring four runs in the third. After pushing across two runs in the bottom of the seventh, MCC couldn’t overcome the 7-5 deficit.
Softball Loses 10-0 to Des Moines CC
Des Moines CC defeated the MCC softball squad 10-0 on Sunday, March 2, at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Columbus, Ga.
Riley Fisher threw the three-hit shutout, striking out 11 Jayhawk batters and allowing just two walks.
MCC freshman righthander Hayley Brockelbank(Ludington, MI/Ludington) took the loss. She allowed eight runs in 5 2/3 innings, walked four and struck out five.
Softball Opens with Losses to Two Nationally Ranked Foes
The MCC softball team opened its season in Columbus, Ga. on Friday, Feb. 28, losing 5-1 to 13th ranked Des Moines Area Community College and 12-1 No. 1 ranked Wallace-Hanceville.
In the opener, Alyson Behnke (Charlotte, MI/Charlotte) had two hits, while pitcher Megan VanderWal (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View) took the loss allowing six hits, a walk, and two earned runs.
Against national powerhouse Wallace-Hanceville, the Jayhawks held tough for four innings against their Alabama opponents, whose winning pitcher Paige Browning, threw a four-hitter and struck out seven MCC batters. Wallace-Hanceville pounded Jayhawks pitching, as six hitters combined for 15 hits, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
MCC’s Megan VanderWal picked up the loss. She went 4 2/3 innings, walked three, struck out two, and allowed five runs. In the fourth inning, Jayhawks pushed across their only run of the day on a wild pitch. Wallace-Hanceville went up for good in the fifth, scoring four runs on Andrea McKenzie’s a two-run double and Isabella Campbell’s two-run homer, and then added seven runs in the seventh.
Softball Opens Feb. 28 Against Nation’s Best
The MCC softball team opens up the 2014 season under new head coach
Ryan Schalk on Friday, Feb. 28, at NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.
The Jayhawks will be facing some of the best teams in the nation. MCC opens with Des Moines Area CC, the 13th ranked squad in NJCAA Division II, then faces the top-ranked Division I squad in the country, Wallace-Hanceville. Click here to learn more about the tournament.