Jared Knuth who started the season in the bull pin has new emerged as the teams ace. (Photo: Michael Thayer/Collegiate)

Pitcher inspired by brother
by Dana Finkler
Collegiate Staff Writer

Jared Knuth is a simple kind of man who has come to love and understand the game of baseball.

His admiration for the game was derived from constant hours in the backyard playing baseball with his brother.

“My brother would always get me to play catch, go hit, or do some baseball related activity,” Knuth said.

The two would practice throwing with a tennis ball. With the ball being lighter, it was easier to throw the ball much harder; it would help Jared tone on his pitching skills. This helped Jared develop a good curve ball and work on pitch location, which is essential to a pitchers success.

His brother would also help him with his batting by throwing tennis balls from 45 feet away, improving timing and bat speed. Knuth even admits polishing his skills in games of wiffle ball.

“Ben has always had a great work ethic,” said Knuth. “It’s rubbed off on me and it motivates me to work as hard as I can.”

If Knuth happens to catch a break from school and baseball, he enjoys fishing out on Lake Michigan and is currently trying to master the art of guitar, with a little help from Ben, he knows how to strum a cord or two. He is a big fan of Lynrd Skynyrd , Led Zeppelin, and Bob Seger.

All the times his brother nagged him to play baseball has seemed to pay dividend.

In his senior season at St. Joseph’s high school in the regional championship game, Knuth didn’t take the field with a glove, but a bat. In the sixth inning, he came up to bat with the game tied 1-1 and hit a double in the gap to the outfield to win the game off Devan Kline, who currently pitches for Central Michigan

Knuth was influenced to come to GRCC by his brother and after doing his own research, he became intrigued. Nobody could have been happier for him, his family and GRCC head coach Mike Cupples said.

“This is the guy you want to have the ball in his hand when the game is on the line,” said Cupples.

Knuth has developed his curve with the help of his brother and has a hard breaking slider. His ability to mix in his off-speed pitches and his electric fastball has attributed to the 20 year olds success.

Ben had a standout career at GRCC. Some of his career records at CC; 14-7 record in two years (04-05), 96 strikeouts, 1 save, and is second in GRCC history for best earn run average with 2.81. Ben had signed with the University of Pittsburgh and now has returned to Michigan to play for GVSU.

Jared is closing on a CC record as well. Knuth is second in CC’s history for shutouts with four, trailing Harmsen who had five. In his freshman season, Knuth pitched two shutouts and has duplicated that success already midway through this season. Both brothers trail Brandon Harmsen in the record books, who played for CC during the 2002 season and landed a brief stint with the Yankees farm system.

Opening day for Michiganders is always a coin toss because of our unique weather patterns. This season was no surprise as the sun provided a glimpse of spring and warmer weather on the horizon, but that day, there was a lingering cold that gave batters an uncomfortable sting if they made contact with a pitch.

Opening day, Knuth provided some excitement as he took a no hitter into the seventh inning against Glen Oaks CC.

J. Harkensee broke up the no-no on the second pitch with a single, but Knuth went on to get the 4-0 shutout.

In baseball, players are known for having unique superstitions, pitchers especially. Some have to routinely dress the same way before a game, like put their right sock on first before the left. The most common superstition is making sure to not touch the white lines for thought it could be bad luck. Jared has a unique superstition.

“In the in-between inning warm-ups, when I go to take the mound, I have to be the first person to touch the ball”, said Knuth.

During the Muskegon CC game on April 15th at Belknap Park, Jared hustled out to the mound to beat out the coaches and umpires to the ball.

Muskegon CC’s head coach threw him the ball three times within the game. On that day, Knuth went on to throw his second shutout of the season, putting him one shutout shy of tying the record.

Recently, Knuth was honored with the Merle Storr Award, which is given to the student athlete who has contributed the most to an individual sport while also excelling academically. Knuth has a polished 3.7 GPA.

Knuth is scheduled to take the mound a few more games this season. Striving for the record.

Raider softball team focuses on one game at a time
By Dana Finkler
Collegiate Staff Writer

The back-to-back loss to Lansing CC (3-16, 0-10) seemed to leave a sour taste in the girls’ mouth. The girls committed six errors in the first game and two in the second. The girls returned to Belknap Park this past week and took their frustration out on Muskegon CC and Ancilla CC.

“We have been doing well in practice and it’s just a matter of translating it to the games,” said Maloley. “I keep preaching to the girls; take it one practice and game at a time and focus on what we need to do.”

The Raiders and the fans that gathered at Belknap Park the past weekend were treated to great weather and a series of wins.

On April 17, the raiders squared off against Muskegon CC and won both games, 8-3, 7-3. In the first game, Nicole Snell had a big game for the raiders offensively with three RBI’s. Lindsay Nye also drove in 2 runs. The second game the girls had an explosive 3rd inning scoring Myers led off the 3rd inning with a home run to center.

Desiree Stone had an RBI double. The raiders caught a break as Muskegon CC made two errors in the inning, which led to three unearned runs.

Haley Stehouwer has been aggressive on the bases as she stole her nineteenth base of the season.

“We were aggressive with hitting and base running,” said Maloley. “Putting pressure on the other team and it will lead them to making mistakes.”

On April 19, it was Parent Day at Belknap Park and the girls treated their parents and fans with a pair of wins against Ancilla CC. The raiders took advantage in the 3rd inning of three Aniclla errors. The raiders had many timely hits and aggressive base running off three hits, which led to four runs.

Krystal Ryskamp went the distance in the second game going five innings, with six strikeouts, and only allowed one hit on the way to an 8-0 shutout. Maloley praised Ryskamp’s toughness as she battled through a hand injury.

In the second game, Desiree Stone had a big game for the raiders with four RBI’s off two doubles. Second baseman Taylor Adams showed off her bat and her speed as she hit her second triple of the year. Katie Roach went seven strong innings striking out nine on the way to the 7-3 victory.

In CC’s last four games, the three "R's" Katie Roach, Lindsey Reppins, and Krystal Ryskamp all had strong and consistent outings.

"Our climate starts with pitchers," said Maloley. "Defense generates offense."

Coach Maloley is optimistic if the girls keep taking it one practice and game at a time, they will continue to succeed the rest of the season. The girls are home this Thursday at Belknap Park at 3:00 P.M. against Jackson CC.

Tennis team's season is over
By Derek Lamb
Collegiate Staff Writer

GRCC men’s tennis is nearing the end of another season.

One of the highlights for the team was their trip to Hilton Head, S.C. where they won three of their six matches during spring break.

“We played very well, there was great weather, great courts and it was just an overall amazing place to play. Most importantly it was just a great way for the team to get to know each other better and become better friends,” freshman Jeff Karasinski said about the trip.

It’s been a difficult year for the Raiders, but Karasinski believes the team has continued to show improvement throughout the season.

"It not only helps that we are working hard in practice, but playing an extremely high quality of opponents every week. Overall, our team has made a big jump in our skill level,” he said.

The Raiders will conclude their season today as they take on Spring Arbor University.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The April 23, 2008 print edition of the Collegiate incorrectly identified this story as a golf story. The GRCC's golf team's season is NOT over. We regret this error. The correct story, which was meant to run in that space, appears below. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Golf team presses on
By Derek Lamb
Collegiate Staff Writer

The GRCC men’s golf team continues to improve as the season goes on.

The Raiders had a strong performance in the Muskegon Community College Tournament as they came in third, shooting 330 as a team losing by 10 strokes to Muskegon CC, who shot a 320 overall to win the tournament, according to Raider coach Bruce Vanden Beldt.

"We did do better as a team and still have the potential to do a lot better. I think as the year goes on and the weather gets warmer we will begin to shoot a lot better," said freshman Alex Doty.

The Raiders then followed that up with another good showing in the GRCC Invitational, which they hosted at Egypt Valley golf course.

“We came in fifth place out of 12 teams. It was the first time we finished ahead of Muskegon,” Vanden Beldt said.

After shooting two strokes lower than they did in the previous tournament, the team now is hoping for some consistency.

"We are doing better each tournament as a team and just need have everyone shoot good in the same day,” said Doty who shot an 80.

The team plays tomorrow in the Western Conference Tournament at Bedford Valley golf course in Battle Creek.

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Sports Briefs for April 23, 2008

Raiders sign one for B-ball
Basketball tryouts held on April 19 had a promising showing from the different students who tried out.

Head coach David Selmon was enthusiastic about the day. Students came in from all over Kent county and other parts of the country to try out for the Raiders team.

The Virgin Islands, Ohio, and Indiana are some of the places students’ came from to try out for the team Selmon said.

Out of 80 trying out for the Raiders, the coach signed only one on Saturday James Thomas a 6’2” guard from Grand Rapids Christian High School.

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Current Edition:
April 23, 2008

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