Libby VanFleet, GRCC softball going to World Series for first time since 1998

GRAND RAPIDS – Only one out away, Grand Rapids Community College softball thought it was destined for a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series (NJCAA) last season. Then heartbreak happened for the Raiders, who failed to hold onto a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning and suffered an 8-7 loss to Lansing Community College in a thrilling regional final. VANFLEET SOFTBALL FAMILY: Fueled by family support, VanFleet finishing up excellent Cheboygan softball career BLASKOWSKI WITH GCU BASEBALL: Cheboygan's Kaleb Blaskowski excelling with Grace Christian baseball Libby VanFleet, a former Cheboygan High School softball star and then-freshman on that GRCC team, felt the devastation on the part of herself and teammates who thought they had it.

One year later, VanFleet and her close Raider teammates got to experience the other side of that, as they returned and finished the job in impressive fashion just recently. Now, VanFleet and GRCC softball will be going to the upcoming NJCAA Division 2 World Series – the first appearance for the Raiders since 1998 – after capturing a 6-1 victory over Lake Michigan College in a Great Lakes District B championship game at the University of Findlay (Ohio) on Saturday, May 9. “Honestly, it was one of the most rewarding feelings that I’ve ever had in my softball career,” VanFleet said.

“There was so much buildup to that moment, and just being surrounded by my best friends was one of the best feelings. It’s a good feeling that we finally got what we wanted. ” With the win, the Raiders head to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where they will participate in the NJCAA World Series, May 19-24.

It’s been a dominant season for the Raiders, who make their way into the tournament with a 41-8 overall record and a current 11-game winning streak. In two seasons at GRCC, VanFleet has been a huge part of the Raiders’ success. As a freshman, she saw plenty of time at pitcher and earned all-conference honorable mention accolades.