College Showcase: Fruitport's Stratton shines for U-D softball

Despite a frustrating season in the win-loss column, Fruitport graduate Whitney Stratton has shined at the plate for the University of Detroit softball team. Stratton, a junior, had her streak of reaching base safely in 16-straight games halted during the second game of the Titans' doubleheader against the University of Illinois-Chicago on Sunday. Detroit dropped both contests, sending their season record to 5-25 and 0-10 in the Horizon League. During her streak, Stratton hit a stellar .385 (15-for-39), raising her season batting average to .273.

Anonymous

Apr 19, 2011

The middle infielder has started 29 games for the Titans this season, and has tallied a team-high six doubles, as well as two home runs and six RBIs in 66 at-bats.

Last season, Stratton was a key member of Muskegon Community College’s National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 national championship team. She hit .401 and drove in 74 runs, earning second-team All-American honors.

GH GRADS LEADING AQUINAS LACROSSE
The Aquinas College men’s lacrosse team is in the thick of a championship race in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association’s West Division, thanks to a pair of former Grand Haven Buccaneers.

Saints’ junior Mike Matych has been one of the team’s top attackers, totaling 27 goals and 13 assists. He scored a season-high six goals on April 8, as Aquinas dominiating Siena Heights, 17-3. The victory started the Saints’ current four-game winning streak, which included wins over Calvin, Ferris State, and U-M Dearborn.

Aquinas is currently tied with Grand Valley State with 3-0 records in the CCLA West Division.

Matych’s 27 goals ranks him 18th overall in CCLA Division 2.

Forming the deadly 1-2 punch at attack with Matych has been junior Tyler Rosema. He’s also had a tremendous season, totaling 17 goals and 22 assists.

His assist total is the 11th best among all players in CCLA Division 2. Rosema had a season-best five assists in a 16-6 win over Reinhardt on March 6.

After Aquinas wraps up its regular season on April 23 at Oakland, the Saints will battle in the CCLA playoffs on May 6-8 at Saline High School.