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Holland Christian
950 Ottawa Ave.
Holland, Michigan
49423
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 2009 Season |
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Saturday, January 10
Pre-Season Ranking for Maroons Once Again
At the annual Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Convention in Mt. Pleasant, MI the first signs of high school baseball were felt. The pre-season rankings for the 2009 season were published and found Holland Christian ranked for the fourth consecutive year to start the season. The spot in the rankings also continues the program's streak of being ranked in the state at over two years showing the continual success that HC has been fortunate to enjoy. The Maroons will begin their 2009 season as the 5th ranked team in Division II baseball. "It's an honor to always be put into the category of one of the top programs in the state and I believe we belong in that grouping but rankings at the beginning of the season do not really mean that much," said head coach Mike Ott. "It will provide our kids some excitement and a form of validation for all their work so far in the off-season but it also provides an even greater target on our back and hopeully just invigorates our guys and focuses us heading into 2009." After graduating eight players off of last year's team that set the school record for wins in a regular season, and only returning seven players, the varsity will have a large task ahead of them as they will be filled with the most youth in the team's five seasons under Ott. Also ranked in the Division II polls is Mt. Pleasant, which sits at #2 behind Dearborn Divine Child. Holland Christian travels to Mt. Pleasant for an early season tournament on April 18 and will provide the team a great test against some of top teams in the state. The team's opening day of practice will begin on March 9 and their first game takes place on March 26 at Allegan.
Monday, February 2
Maroons Trio Inks Names to Scholarships
|  | | Dykstra signs his Letter of Intent with his parents Doug & Mary | |
Despite being engrossed in snow and winter weather, spring is just
around the corner and soon will be pushed to the forefront when
pitchers and catchers report to Major League Baseball Spring Training
in just 10 days. On a smaller scale, Holland Christian got
its own
shot of spring on Monday afternoon when three members of the Maroons
Baseball program signed National Letters of Intent accepting
scholarships to play in college. Seniors Ryan Dykstra, Kevin
Kloosterman and Steve Lynch all inked their names to continue their
baseball careers at the next level. Dykstra, who is a captain in his
senior year, signed on the dotted line to attend NAIA Taylor University
accepting the school’s largest athletic scholarship possible. The
scholarship was brought on by Dykstra's fabulous junior year when
surged onto the West Michigan baseball scene with a breakout season
hitting .450 on the year accumulating 13 doubles, 5 triples and 21
RBI. He also was a perfect 25-25 in stolen bases despite playing the
second half of the year with two pulled quads. The centerfielder will
anchor the Maroons lineup in 2009 and also be counted on as the team’s
#2 pitcher. “Dyk has worked incredibly hard and really made a name for
himself as one of the top players in West Michigan last year,” said
head coach Mike Ott. “He had a lot of opportunities to play at the
next level but he and his family felt comfortable at Taylor and I
believe they got a great player who is going to boost their program.”
While Dykstra is headed out of state, Kloosterman and Lynch will remain
teammates in the state of Michigan, just 90 miles east in Lansing. The
duo signed letters of intent to play for Lansing Community College and
first year head coach Rod Sanville (also with Lon, Nancy, Jon & Derek Kloosterman and Mike, Janet, Jessica & Daniel Lynch).
Lynch, who will be the Maroons
first baseman for the second straight season, hit .413 in 31 games in
2008. Along with his high average, the southpaw had 11 doubles, five
triples and 31 RBI. “Steve is a top tiered talent in one of the best
programs in the state and why we decided to give him a full ride
scholarship,” said head coach Rod Sanville. “He will step into our
starting lineup next season as our first basemen and I know he will be
ready coming for the program he has been a part of while at Holland
Christian.” Lynch will be joined by outfielder Kevin Kloosterman who
rounds out the senior trio. Kloosterman, who served a key reserve in
last year’s record breaking team at HC, hit .333 with five doubles and
was a perfect 10-10 in stolen bases. The Maroons will be counting on
Kloosterman as their everyday leftfielder. “We believe Kevin can
really impact us in the outfield,” noted Sanville. “Again coming from
this top tiered program, we know we are getting someone who will be
ready and I have really liked what I have seen in him.” Prior to their
collegiate season, the trio will get to now sit back and enjoy their
final year in the Maroons Baseball program. Holland Christian begins
their season on March 26 against the Tigers of Allegan. “I think LCC
is getting two talented guys in Kevin and Lynch,” finalized Ott. “They
have proven themselves with solid junior seasons and we are counting on
them this coming year to be leaders on and off the field. I am proud
of all three of them as they represent their families, this school and
our program wonderfully.” PHOTOS
 | | Kloosterman & Lynch are joined by Coach Sanville and their families |
Thursday, March 26
Youth Movement Begins With Win
| |  | | Alden Boven lines one of his two singles on the afternoon. |
With
Major League Baseball still 10 days away from Opening Day, baseball
fans in West Michigan began to get their own taste of high school
baseball as the season began to open throughout the area under
unseasonably warm temperatures. Debuting for the first time this
season was the Holland Christian Maroons who opened the 2009 season
ranked #5 in the pre-season Division II poll. A unique twist to their
season will be the test of playing all of their games on the road as
they work on building a new field for the Maroons, which will open in
2010. On Thursday afternoon, HC traveled to face the Allegan Tigers
for their annual non-conference tilt. Despite the high ranking, the
Maroons debuted a much different lineup than most fans and teams have
become accustomed as at the time of first pitch, Holland Christian had
only 1 starter in the same position as they were during the previous
season. That youth did not hurt the team early as the Maroons
capitalized on an Allegan error and a hit by pitch to put runners on
first and second. Cleanup hitter Steve Lynch stepped to the plate and
laced an RBI single to rightfield to put the team up immediately 1-0.
A theme of the day was the maroon and white’s inability to add on with
men in scoring position and it began in the first as HC stranded two
runners in scoring position. An inning later, HC got hits from Alden
Boven, Jeff Victor and Ryan Dykstra to score two runs
putting them up 3-0. Boven would once again spark the offense in the
fourth lining his second single of the game to start the inning
allowing the team to bring around a run expanding their lead out to
4-0. While
the offense steadily plugged away, HC’s ace Jeff Victor battled himself
yet was strong enough to hold down the host Tigers. Through the first
four innings, Victor only allowed one hit, a single to the leadoff
batter of the game, and was backed by sparkling defense. Victor began to bear down in his final two innings as he struck out
four of the final six men he faced to finish the day with 8
strikeouts. While the defense contained Allegan, HC opened up their
lead in the sixth when Ryan Dykstra, Lynch and Kevin Kloosterman
crossed the plate aided by two Allegan errors to lead 7-0. That would
be more than enough as Victor gave way to Dykstra on the mound. The
senior captain calmly worked a perfect seventh inning to close the
doors on the opening day 7-0 shutout victory. On the evening, HC
swiped nine bases aiding their cause. “I thought we did some nice
things but we can certainly execute better as we left several more runs
on the bases with poor situational hitting,” said head coach Mike Ott.
“Our defense was great and I thought we had chances but we just need to
lock it in so we can capitalize with greater consistency.” Boven and
Dykstra led the way with two hits apiece leading the way in the 10 hit
attack. Victor earned the win completing his six innings under his
pitch count to match his team’s record of 1-0. The Maroons will get a
day to catch their breath before heading to Fennville for a
doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m. Nic Kiekover will toe
the rubber in game one for Holland Christian. PHOTOS
 | | Jeff Victor delivers a pitch during his 6 shutout innings. |
Thursday, March 26
JV Take Season Opener
The Maroons JV team opened their season on a sunny afternoon against the Allegan Tigers. Jon Bosma drew a walk to give the Maroons
their first baserunner, quickly stole second, and Josh Meiste laced a
single into the gap for the Maroons first run of the game. The Tigers
quickly challenged the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with two
outs and a runner on third. The Tiger’s clean-up hitter powered a
grounder towards second base but Nate Petroelje made a diving stop and
a strong throw to get the runner out a first and to preserve the early
1-0 lead. After a leadoff single by Connor Leppink and a sacrifice
bunt by Mitch Barry, Jon Bosma hit a single to right to score Leppink.
Jon Kiekover followed that up with a base hit of his own and with
runners at first and third, Josh Meiste executed the perfect bunt for a
successful squeeze play to put the Maroons up 3-0. “We didn’t hit well
as a team but our situational bunting and baserunning was outstanding,”
noted Coach Locker after the game. The Maroons were able to add on 5
more runs in the sixth inning by capitalizing on errors, walks, hit
batters, and another perfectly executed squeeze play by Nate
Petroelje. That would be all the scoring necessary behind an
exceptional opening day start by Nate Schepers. In 5 1/3
innings, Schepers was great striking out 7 and only walking 1 earning
the win, giving up only 1 earned run. “He was good, he was really
good,” shared assistant coach Glenn Benko as he happily commented on
Nate’s performance. Jon Kiekover came in with one out in the sixth and
two men on and followed up Schepers’ performance by forcing a weak
ground ball and then striking out the next batter on four pitches. He
ended the game with 2 strikeouts and was able to preserve the Maroons
first victory of the year. The Maroons (1-0) will travel to Sparta on
Tuesday to take on the Spartans in the team’s last game before Spring
Break with Schepers taking the mound for the 4:15 p.m. contest. PHOTOS
 | | Nate Schepers delivers a pitch in his solid outing. |
Saturday, March 28
Maroons Take Both Ends of Doubleheader
|  | | Steve Lynch's two run towering homerun started the day off for HC. | |
Another southern road trip welcomed the Maroons varsity baseball team back into action on Saturday morning. Making the twenty mile trip south to play neighboring Fennville High School, Holland Christian hoped to keep their record spotless in the double dip under sunny skies. HC clearly brought their bats with them as the team combined for thirty six hits in just eight innings of play. The offensive fireworks allowed Holland Christian to sweep both ends of the doubleheader winning 21-2 and 16-1. In game one, the Maroons weaved their way around five walks to spin a combined no-hitter from Nic Kiekover, Jake Bruns and Luke Brower. All three were making their debut on the mound for the season. The big blow for the offense came in the first inning when Steve Lynch delivered a towering two run homerun to right field that gave HC a 4-0 lead and they never looked back. They would add two more runs in the inning and led 6-0 after the top of the first. In the second, the Maroons capitalized on two Fennville errors and back-to-back doubles by Kevin Kloosterman and Kiekover to score three more runs. In the third inning, HC got six consecutive hits to plate four more runners as their lead jumped into double figures. Fennville was able to score a run in the bottom of the third but the maroon and white answered back in the fourth with two more. The scoring ended in the fifth inning as the team got three more hits, including an RBI double from freshman Luke Brower. Brower would then strike out the side in the fifth to end the game for the Maroons. In the opening game, Jeff Victor, Alden Boven, Ryan Dykstra, Lynch, Kloosterman, Kiekover, Peter Cupery, Brower and Josh Arendsen all gathered at least two hits on the game. Not much changed in game two as HC, still serving as the visitor, put up another strong first inning to take a 4-0 lead on another big hit from Steve Lynch, this time a two RBI double. Fennville went quietly in the first inning and Holland Christian opened the game up in their next at bat. When all was said and done, seventeen players had come up to the plate and eleven crossed home plate putting Holland Christian up 15-0 after two. On the defensive side of things, Steve Lynch was contributing on the mound working the first two innings effortlessly putting down the ‘Hawks in 1-2-3 fashion. The Maroons put one more across the plate in the third inning to lead 16-0. Peter Cupery then relieved Lynch on the mound and Fennville was able to gather their lone run of the game in the third inning. Leading by fifteen, at 16-1, with two outs and a runner at second, Holland Christian needed only on more out to close the game via MHSAA mercy rules. Cupery ended the game picking off the runner at second to close out the doubleheader sweep. Just as they had in game one, Holland Christian received a total team effort at the plate. Alden Boven, Justin Lemmen, Steve Lynch (2) and Alex Nienhuis each recorded doubles as all but one Maroon gathered a hit on the day. The two victories improve Holland Christian to (3-0) on the young season as Jake Bruns and Steve Lynch earned the victories on the mound. The Maroons tallied nineteen steals on the afternoon and once again played flawless defense not committing an error. “Fennville is a very young team and we were able to exploit a few things but I thought offensively we did a better job of staying back and letting the ball get deep,” said head coach Mike Ott. “Our pitching has to be better though, youth or no youth. We have to compete on the mound and own the low half of the zone just as we have all off-season.” West Catholic is the Maroons next opponent as the two will meet in Grand Rapids on Monday with the first pitch slated for 4:15 p.m. The Falcons were ranked #1 in Division II the majority of last season but are dealing with the graduation of the majority of their starting lineup, much like the Maroons.
 | | Grant VanPutten contributed three of the teams nineteen steals. |
Monday, March 30
Runners Left on Base Kills HC
| |  | | Grant VanPutten went 2-3 in the defeat. |
Top of the top ranked teams in Division II from the 2008 season squared off early in the 2009 season. West Catholic, who was tops in Division II for the majority of the season in the polls, graduated their entire starting roster. Holland Christian, who was in the top five all season last year, was in the same boat as the Falcons as both team’s entered with new regimes in place for the game at West Catholic High School under mostly sunny conditions. The Maroons were able to get on the board during their first at bats courtesy of West Catholic’s lone error. After a Jeff Victor single to start the game, the speedster was moved over to second on a perfectly sacrifice bunt by Alden Boven. Victor advanced to third on a stolen base and came around to score on a throwing error by the catcher on a third strike throw to first base. HC fans wouldn’t know it at the time but the first inning was a microcosm of the remainder of the game. Holland Christian would use two walks to load the bases, only to leave the three runners stranded on a strikeout. Making his second start of the season, Jeff Victor was in control early dominating his way through the Falcons lineup keeping West Catholic scoreless for the opening four innings. The maroon and white used two hits by Grant VanPutten and Victor in the second inning but again left the two stranded in scoring position. HC left two more runners stranded in the third and the game went into the top of the fifth inning with the Maroons leading 1-0. The inability to take advantage of opportunities was leaving West Catholic in the game and they nearly took advantage in the fourth inning. WC loaded the bases with no one out but the Maroons ace struck out the side to avoid any damage. In need of some breathing room, Holland Christian loaded the bases with two walks and a hit by pitch to once again have the bases packed with less than two outs. An infield pop up sapped some life from the team but Kris Lokker gave the team a shot in the arm working the count into his favor and then taking a fastball off of his hip for the RBI. That would be all HC could manage as they led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. The story of the game was becoming missed opportunities and the Falcons were poised not to let another chance slip by. Using four walks, a hit batter and two HC errors, West Catholic plated 4 runs to take a 4-2 lead. Showing poise, Holland Christian battled back in the sixth with singles from VanPutten and Boven to plate a run making it 4-3. As had been the case all day, the Maroons loaded the bases with less than two outs and again failed to score leaving three more runners in scoring position. Victor effortlessly worked through the sixth inning giving his team one final chance at life. After a strikeout opened the inning, Peter Cupery and VanPutten each were struck by a pitch putting two men on with the top of the lineup coming to the plate. With runners of first and second, Victor hit a towering shot to the right field fence that seemingly was going to be caught. The ball fell in but Cupery, who was tagging, could only advance to third base. A perfect throw from the right fielder hit the cut man and found the trailing runner at second too far off the bag. West Catholic worked the Maroons runner into a run down before Cupery broke for the plate but was tagged on in the rundown. The base running error gave West an out and put runners now on second and third with one out to go. Alden Boven’s hard shot up the middle was knocked down and West emerged victorious 4-3. “The fact of the matter is that we simply gave the game away with as many opportunities as we left on the field,” said head coach Mike Ott. “You cannot strand 15 runners and leave the bases loaded 4 times in one game and expect to beat solid teams. Our situational hitting was very poor today but we will come back tomorrow and hope to rebound.” The loss drops Victor to 1-1 as he struck out 10 but walked 5 on the day. He also led the team at the plate going 3-4. He was joined by VanPutten who also contributed 2 singles. Holland Christian will travel to Sparta tomorrow for a 4:15 p.m. contest. PHOTOS
 | | Alden Boven's hard shot up the middle was knocked down allowing WC to win 4-3. |
 | | Kevin Kloosterman ripped two extra base hits in the 3 inning mercy. | |
Tuesday, April 14
Tune Up Gets Out of Hand
| |  | | Steve Lynch cranked an RBI triple into the right-center gap. |
In any sport a two week lay-off is a difficult test to overcome and that was what the Holland Christian baseball team was up against Tuesday afternoon in Grand Rapids. After the Spring Break vacation, the Maroons were only able to practice one time before starting a minor gauntlet in their schedule. Playing eight games in five consecutive days, HC took to the field against Potter’s House. Adding a unique flair to the game was the relationship the two head coaches shared. For four seasons at Calvin College, HC’s head coach Mike Ott and PH’s head coach Andy Drake, were teammates wearing the maroon and gold. For the second time, the two teammate’s team’s squared off against one another in a game at Pinery Park. Making his debut on the mound was sophomore Grant VanPutten for the fifth ranked Maroons and by the time he made it to the mound in the bottom of the first inning, VanPutten was staked with a 14-0 lead. HC batted around the lineup twice in the top of the first amassing 11 hits in the inning. After singles by VanPutten and Peter Cupery, the meat of the Maroons order hurt the Puma’s. Seniors Steve Lynch and Kevin Kloosterman both clubbed triples into the right center gap quickly putting the team up 3-0. After Alex Nienhuis and Alden Boven each chipped in with RBI singles, the Maroons then plated runs on three consecutive walks. Later in the inning, HC got doubles from Kloosterman and Boven and RBI singles from Josh Arendsen and Nic Kiekover. Aided by the huge lead, VanPutten went to work pounding the zone, challenging the Potter’s House hitters to put the ball into play. PH responded and loaded the bases behind a base hit and two walks with their top three hitters. The sophomore would whittle out of trouble striking out the next three men to escape the jam. That would be the lone scoring attempt the opposition had as VanPutten would once again strike out the side in the second inning to rack his total up to 6 strikeouts in his two innings. Kris Lokker made his varsity debut on the mound in the third working a scoreless frame. HC added four runs in the second on singles from Luke Brower and Boven that were wrapped around three walks and two errors. Cupery singled and scored in the third for the line run to bring the HC total up to 19. The game ended in the third inning when the middle infield turned a sparkling double play from Boven to Kiekover to Brower for the 4-6-3 combination. The 19-0 win improved the Maroons to 4-1 on the season which saw every Maroons get playing time. “The game got out of hand quickly and that was definitely not the route we wanted it to go as this was a tune up for us prior to our conference season beginning. I did think we did some nice things today in spite of how the game got,” said head coach Mike Ott. “We have been stressing our hands at the plate and we saw signs in the right direction and I thought VP, and even Lokker, on the mound, did a great job of competing in the low half of the zone.” On the afternoon, Holland Christian totaled 17 hits. Continuing their busy schedule, HC (4-1) will open their OK-Green season on Wednesday when they travel down the road to face the Dux of Zeeland West (2-3). ZW and HC have opened conference play for one another three consecutive seasons. The Maroons will begin the defense of their conference title with the first pitch coming at 4:15 p.m.
 | | Alden Boven went a perfect 3-3 on the afternoon and started a double play. |
Wednesday, April 15
JV Stays Perfect
After a long spring break layoff, the JV Baseball Maroons started conference play on Wednesday with a 15-5 win over Zeeland West. The Maroons won via a five inning mercy rule victory after connecting on 12 hits and drawing 8 walks. Nate Schepers pitched great getting his second win of the season giving him a 2-0 record. In 4 innings of work, Schepers struck out 7 as he gave up 6 hits on the outing. “Schepers kept his composure and had himself another great outing,” stated assistant coach Dave Arendsen, “he also got it done at the plate as well going 2-4.” Zeeland West kept the game close with a 4-4 tie going into the bottom of the fourth, as the Maroons were the home team tonight. But in that half inning, the Maroons added 4 runs to go up 8-4. Ben Hill took over for Schepers in the fifth and only gave up 1 run. That turned out to be all the Maroons needed as they tacked on 7 run in the bottom of the fifth to win the as Mitch Barry connected with a fastball and get the last run in as he reached on an error. “It was great that Mitch could end the game like that after the game he was having,” said head coach Adam Locker. Barry went 3-5 with 2 stolen bases on the day. Connor Leppink also had a great day at the plate by getting on base every time he was up. Leppink drew 3 walks on the day and had a sharp single in the fourth. The Maroons, now 2-0, hope to continue with their hot bats as they head to Grand Rapids Christian to play tomorrow at 4:30. PHOTOS
 | | Mitch Barry led the JV going 3-5 on the afternoon. |
 | | Alden Boven led the team with 4 RBI. | |
Wednesday, April 15
HC Takes Sloppy Conference Opener
|  | | Jeff Victor struck out 9 over 5 innings of work. | |
A day after runs and hits rained down as much as the weather, Holland Christian made the quick trip down the road to face league foe Zeeland West. The Dux and the Maroons were facing off for the third straight year to begin the OK-Green varsity baseball season. Headed into action, the Dux were sporting a 2-3 record, while Holland Christian was 4-1. Those records could be thrown out the window however as over the past three years, the two squads had played one another quite evenly with HC owning a slim 4-2 margin in their three year series. After missing Tuesday’s game with strep throat, junior captain Jeff Victor returned to action and toed the rubber in the conference opener. Just as the team had done a day before, the Maroons graced their starting pitcher with a cushion as they scored three runs in the top of the first. Grant VanPutten got things started singling and then proceeded to steal second and third base setting up the team’s first run. After a key Zeeland West error, two runs came scampering home when Alden Boven roped a two out, two strike single up the middle to put HC up 3-0. Setting ZW down in order in the first, Holland Christian plated two more runs when Luke Brower (hit by pitch) and Nic Kiekover (single) got one base and came around to score making it 5-0. Victor would settle in for the next two innings striking out five of six Dux hitters giving the Maroons time to tack onto their lead. In the top of the fourth they did just that. The top of the HC lineup went to work as Victor helped his own cause singling up the middle. He was promptly moved to third on a double from VanPutten and then scored on a two strike RBI single from Ryan Dykstra. VanPutten would then steal home one pitch later to make it 7-0. West would finally crack the scoreboard using a walk, two wild pitches and an error to cut the game to 7-1. Back to back singles from Peter Cupery and Kevin Kloosterman put HC on the offensive again and they would come across scoring on a Boven RBI groundout and a wild pitch. With the game in hand, HC’s entire roster saw playing time as they put across six runs in the top of the sixth to bust the game open and all but end the game. Five straight walks were followed by RBI’s from Josh Arendsen and Boven once again to push the Maroons lead out to 15-1. Up big, HC turned to Nic Kiekover on the mound and the Dux showed great merit not quitting as they once again capitalized on what Holland Christian gave them. With four walks in the inning, and an HC error, Zeeland West plated three runs but that was not enough to send the game any further as it was called due to MHSAA mercy rules. The win improved the Maroons to 5-1 on the year and 1-0 in conference. Jeff Victor got the win on the mound going five innings and striking out 9, while only walking two. Alden Boven, Grant VanPutten and Nic Kiekover led the way offensively as the trio each had multiple hits. “Despite the score I did not think we played nearly that well,” said head coach Mike Ott. “We continue to get complacent when we get a lead and we were too passive at the plate and late on the mound. A win is a win but this was just sloppy on our part and its frustrating because of what we are capable of.” With no rest for the weary, HC will continue their busy week on Thursday taking on Grand Rapids Christian at Gainey Field. Last year the two ranked teams locked horns at Holland Christian and a spectacular double play at the plate sparked the Maroons and helped lead them to victory. The Eagles, a perennial power each and every year, made a trip to the Quarterfinals last season. Game time for the non-conference tilt is set for 4:30 p.m.
 | | Grant VanPutten continued to shine offensively going 3-4. | |
Thursday, April 16
Maroons Fall in Non-Conference Action
| |  | | Luke Brower gave his team 2 scoreless innings in relief. |
Last season, the Holland Christian-Grand Rapids Christian matchup in
varsity baseball was one of the top billing all season long in West
Michigan. The two squared off in a mid-April showdown with both team’s
ranked in the top five in the state. The back and forth affair saw two
sophomores battle on the hill with HC’s Jeff Victor gaining the upper
hand thanks to a sparkling defensive play, by now senior Ryan Dykstra,
and a key offensive flurry late in the game to allow Holland Christian
to take the non-conference contest. Anyone who participated in that
game could recall the intensity and great baseball played that day.
Thursday afternoon, the two matched up again, this time in Grand Rapids
with the Eagles playing host to the young Holland Christian team.
Christian, hot off their third Quarterfinals appearance in the last
four years, was one of the top teams in West Michigan and this would
provide an early season test. Again HC sent a sophomore to the mound,
as Peter Cupery made his first varsity start on the bump. For the
third time this week, their starting pitcher was staked with an early
lead as Grant VanPutten drove in Jeff Victor for the early 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Maroons, this would be the lone time they held
the lead as the Eagles came out hacking en route to a five run first.
They would tack on another run in the second and Cupery departed after
two innings. HC struck back with a run in the top of the third on an
RBI fielder’s choice from Steve Lynch. Sophomore Jake Bruns put up a
quick 1-2-3 inning in the third and the game got interesting in the top
of the fourth. While the team was passive in the first three innings,
they finally came out swinging and VanPutten notched his second RBI of
the game. Two batters later, an RBI hit by pitch by Ryan Dykstra made
the score suddenly 6-4 with the bases loaded. Bruns came to the plate
looking to help his own cause and dropped down a perfect suicide
squeeze but a late jump by the runner at third allowed Christian to get
the force at home. HC would ground out harmlessly to strand all three
runners and watched as GRC plated five more runs in the fourth.
Holland Christian would not score again, and two scoreless innings of
relief by freshman Luke Brower stopped the Eagles, but it was too little
too late as HC fell 11-4. VanPutten led the team at the plate going
3-4 and was joined by Nic Kiekover who went 2-3. Cupery picked up the
loss to drop to 0-1, while the team fell to 5-2. “It was first and
foremost a non-conference game against a very good team and we put some
young guys in positions they had not been in and Christian took
advantage,” said head coach Mike Ott. “We were beat by a better team
but the disappointing thing is how we looked in defeat with our lack of
energy and our struggles at the plate again. We have the capability
but we need to execute.” The Maroons tallied 7 hits on the day. The
professional like schedule continues for HC as they play their fourth
game of the week on Friday when they travel to Rogers High School. The
OK-Green contest will be the first time the Maroons have been on the
Golden Hawks field since claiming the District Championship in 2006.
First pitch is set for 4:15 p.m. and Holland Christian will serve as
the home team for the first time all season. PHOTOS
Thursday, April 16
Eagles Pull Out Nine Inning Affair
On a beautiful sunny afternoon, the Maroons took the field against the Eagles of Grand Rapids Christian at Gainey Field. From the first pitch, the Maroons took advantage of every offensive opportunity they had capitalizing on hits, walks, and errors. In doing so, Holland Christian led the Eagles 9-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Nate Petroelje gave up 3 hits in 4 innings of work in four innings of work. “Nate did what we needed him to do today, he did a nice job for his first start of the season,” shared head coach Adam Locker. Matt Garvelink also had a good game for the Maroons as he was the only member of the JV with a multiple hit game as he recorded two singles. Along with his two base hits, he also scored 2 runs and had a stolen base. Unfortunately the five innings of effort was not enough as the Eagles took advantage of walks and some costly errors to tie the game at 9-9 as the seventh inning ended. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth and the Maroons looked like they were going to still find a way to win as they plated 2 runs in the top of the ninth. But again, the Eagles proved to be too much as they were able to push three runs across with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to take away the win from the Maroons. The Maroons look to bounce back immediately as they head to conference foe, Rogers High School to take on the Golden Hawks. Jon Kiekover will get his first start of the season as the team will take the field immediately following the Varsity game prior. The game is slated to start at 6:00 p.m. PHOTOS
 | | Matt Garvelink contributed 2 base hits in the losing effort. |
 | | Kevin Kloosterman laces an RBI double in the five run fourth. | |
Friday, April 17
Dykstra's Gem Propels Maroons
|  | | Ryan Dykstra was masterful on the mound throwing a complete game shutout. | |
For the fourth time this week, the Maroons varsity baseball team took the field hoping to end their one game losing streak. Traveling back to Grand Rapids, Holland Christian faced the Golden Hawks of Rogers in each team’s second OK-Green conference game of the season. For the first time this season, HC was designated the home team and starting pitcher Ryan Dykstra and the Maroons defense took the field to open the game. They were not on the field for long as the senior captain worked a 1-2-3 inning inducing three ground balls to get the team back in the dugout. Feeding off the quick inning, the offense wasted little time as the top three hitters all found a way on to load the bases on with no one out. A wild pitch allowed the first run to cross the plate and then two more came in on a Peter Cupery single. The fluttering pop fly into shallow right was lost in the sun and dropped harmlessly to the ground allowing the Maroons to take a 3-0 lead. After a lead-off single for Rogers, Dykstra settled into a groove and over the next three innings he struck out seven straight Golden Hawk hitters. That dominance on the hill gave the team all the life they would need as they added to their lead in the third inning. An Alden Boven double put the team in scoring position for the third straight inning and the junior second baseman would come scampering home two batters later when Kevin Kloosterman laced a two-out double to plate him. In the bottom of the fourth, Holland Christian pulled away sending nine men to the plate and scoring five runs. Grant VanPutten, Steve Lynch and Boven added singles in the inning and Rogers contributed to the inning committing three errors in the frame. Trailing 9-0, the Hawks would not go away as the bottom portion of the order chipped away for two hits to load the bases with no one out. Utilizing his defense behind him, Dykstra induced a groundout to end the threat and give HC a chance to end the game in five innings. Sensing an opportunity, the maroon and white put three of the first four men on to load the bases with one out. With Nic Kiekover standing on third, a wild pitch was launched to the backstop and Kiekover ran home to score the team’s tenth run. The 10-0 lead ended the game via MHSAA mercy rules. Dykstra was the story of the afternoon as the senior pounded the strike zone throwing the five inning complete game in just 62 pitches. He walked one batter, the second to last he faced on the game, and struck out eight. “I thought Dyk was as good as we have had all year long,” said head coach Mike Ott. “He threw to contact and our defense backed him up.” At the plate, the sophomore sensation that is Grant VanPutten continued his hot streak going 2-4. Boven also added a 2-3 day to lead the team in their nine hit attack. “We swung it a bit better but we still are a ways away from what we are capable of,” noted Ott. The win also signified the 100th in Ott’s career at Holland Christian in just 131 games, a little over four seasons. Ending the week will be a major test for Holland Christian as they take the two hour trip to Mt. Pleasant. Those who follow high school baseball know of the prowess of the Oilers baseball program as they won the Division II state championship in 2007 and were defeated in the state finals in 2008. Currently ranked #2 in Division II, Mt. Pleasant will be welcoming Holland Christian (ranked #5), Carleton Airport (ranked #3) and Ogemaw Heights (ranked #8). The Maroons will play each team in the triple header round robin invitational that features four of the top eight ranked teams in the state. HC will open the day against Ogemaw Heights with play beginning at 10:00 a.m. PHOTOS
 | | VanPutten continued his torrid streak going 2-4. |
Friday, April 17
Team Effort Leads to Whopping JV Victory
The JV Baseball team got back to their winning ways today as the won their game against Rogers High School by a score of 20-1. The Maroons won by way of a 15 run mercy rule just as the sunlight was fading on the field. After a tough loss on Thursday, the Maroons came back with a complete team effort to get the convincing win to improve to 3-1 on the young season. “Everyone contributed tonight, even the guys on the bench brought some great energy,” boasted head coach Adam Locker. The Maroons were great in every category in their OK-Green victory to run their league record to 2-0. The Maroons baserunning was outstanding as they stole 10 bases with eight different players contributing. “We were getting great steal jumps tonight and it really paid off,” exclaimed assistant coach Glenn Benko. The Maroons were great at the plate as well as Jon Kiekover, Josh Meiste, Alec Urivez, Ben Timmerman, and Connor Leppink all had multiple hit games. Urivez went 3 for 3 with a walk and Leppink went 2 for 2 with 2 walks. Nate Petroelje recorded a double before he left the game with an injury. The play of the night however was an inside the park homerun by Mitch Barry. The fourth inning was when the Maroons really broke open the game and it all started as Derek Kloosterman came right off the bench and hit a sharp single up the middle. He would come up three times in the fourth inning and he scored all three times drawing 2 walks in the process. Jonathan Bosma a great sacrifice bunt in the first and had a stolen base, while Nate Schepers had an RBI and a walk. All of that hitting overshadowed outstanding defensive play by the Maroons, specifically on the mound. Jon Kiekover took the mound today for his first start of the season and he pitched a gem. Kiekover hurled 4 innings, faced 15 batters and struck out 8 of them. He only gave up 2 hits and 1 run in his complete game outing. “Kiekover was dominant tonight,” added Locker. “He had great control and was mentally tough.” The Maroons will come back after the weekend off against the Hamilton Hawkeyes with the game slated to start at 4:15 p.m. on Monday afternoon in Hamilton. PHOTOS
 | | Alec Urivez's 3-3 day assisted the Maroons in scoring 20 total runs. |
 | | Peter Cupery's two extra base hits in one inning led HC to victory over Ogemaw. | |
Saturday, April 18
Maroons Compete Well in Elite Invitational
| |  | | Nic Kiekover earned the victory on the hill in game 1. |
Saturday morning, the Maroons baseball team got an early 6:00 a.m. wakeup call for the trip north to Mount Pleasant for the Oilers Invitational in which the four teams involved were all ranked in the top eight in the latest Division II poll. Mt. Pleasant, ranked second, hosted the event and squared off against Carleton Airport, ranked third, on Oilers Field, while Holland Christian, ranked fifth, took on Ogemaw Heights, ranked eighth, on the JV field. The long journey seemed to affect the Maroons early, as they were unable to put a runner in scoring position in the first two innings. Meanwhile, the Falcons used two doubles over the two innings to jump ahead 3-0 on HC starter Nic Kiekover. After two quick outs in the third, the top of the lineup sparked Holland Christian as Grant VanPutten and Ryan Dykstra hit back-to-back doubles to put HC on the board at 3-2 going into the bottom of the third. Heights would get the two runs back to grab the momentum and their three run lead at 5-2. Just as they did all day long, the maroon and white never relented and it paid off in the fourth as the team was led by the bat of Peter Cupery, who stroked a double and two run triple in the same frame to put his team up 9-5. Just as the offense was settling in, so was Kiekover. The junior right handed pitcher cut down his pitches and limited the offensive chances of the Falcons. Heights would add three runs and going into the top of the sixth the scoreboard read 10-8. Kiekover would help his own cause stroking a huge bases loaded triple to plate three runs and balloon their lead. With the games only going six innings, HC was ahead 14-8 and shutdown Ogemaw 1-2-3 to seal their seventh victory of the season. In game one, VanPutten went 3-4 with two doubles to lead the team at the plate. Ryan Dykstra (2-3), Cupery (2-4) and Kiekover (2-4) also enjoyed strong contests. Off the win, the Maroons changed into their black uniforms and walked over to Oilers Field to take on the powerful Mt. Pleasant team. Lead by legendary head coach Luke Epple, Mt. Pleasant’s fences were littered with state, regional and district championship banners but HC did not bat an eye in the historic atmosphere. Senior Steve Lynch earned his second start of the year and the southpaw put Mt. Pleasant down in the first two innings. Holland Christian threatened in the second but could not get a run across leaving two men in scoring position and the talented Oilers took that momentum from the defense and brought it to the plate with them. Two two-out walks came around to score on an RBI single by All-American Tyler Higgins to lead 2-0. Holland Christian would answer scoring three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead. In spite of the three runs, the maroon and white’s chances were drastically changed when Mt. Pleasant picked off a runner to change the course of the inning. “It was great to score three runs but we also left three or four runs out there that would have drastically changed the course of the game because of two baserunning blunders,” said head coach Mike Ott. “That inning, and the game, is much different without those two mistakes.” Against top tiered teams mistakes can come back to haunt teams and it started to for HC as Mt. Pleasant used a huge three base error to score two more to regain the lead at 4-3. Despite being locked into a tight and exciting contest, the Maroons continued to waste opportunities and it finally smacked them in the face. Mt. Pleasant used three errors and four walks in the fifth to open the game up and it never got close again. Sophomore Nate Schepers made his varsity debut on the mound inducing a double play ball against the first batter he faced. HC fell 14-3 but the score did not reflect the shape of the game early noted Ott. “We had every chance to take this game but against a top team like Mt. Pleasant, you can’t continue to make mistakes and get away with it.” Jeff Victor (3-4) and Steve Lynch (2-2) led the way with multiple hits. Off the loss, HC headed back to the JV field to take on Carleton Airport, which had won its previous two games. Sophomore Grant VanPutten made his second start of the season and performed valiantly in his six plus innings of work. The Jets jumped out plating three runs in the first inning capitalizing on two HC errors. These errors at costly times would prove to be the theme of the third game. Again, the Maroons battled and scored twice in the bottom of the first as Lynch and Cupery each had RBI singles to make it 3-2. Neither team was able to score over the course of the next two innings with HC’s chance ending with a play at the plate in the bottom of the third with Dykstra being thrown out trying to score. Again a top team took momentum from the defensive side of the ball and put it to use on the offensive side. While one team was using their defense to spark them, one was being bitten by their defense. Airport scored two in the top of the fourth as Holland Christian committed two more errors. Trailing 5-2, the lead was quickly whittled away when Cupery and Kevin Kloosterman hit back-to-back doubles and both eventually scores. An Alden Boven RBI single drove Kloosterman in and the second baseman came around to score to tie the game at 5-5 after four innings. The Maroons got two quick outs in the fifth but two more errors led to two runs and a 7-5 score. The bats stayed hot for HC as Dykstra, triple, and Lynch, double, led the inning off but only one would cross the plate and headed into the final inning, HC trailed 7-6. That was as close as it would be as Airport put across four more runs to cushion their lead as they won 11-6. “This one was frustrating because we made 7 errors on straight up routine plays that we make day in and day out,” noted Ott. “We had that game and let it slip away against one of the best teams we probably will see all year long.” Lynch and Dykstra led the team in game three going 3-3 and 2-2 respectively. Boven (2-3) and Cupery (2-3) also enjoyed multiple hit games. The full day of baseball saw the Maroons move their record to 7-4 on the season. “This was as good a day of baseball as I have seen at the high school level in my coaching career,” said Ott after the game. “These three teams are as good as it gets and we showed we belonged and I am proud of the guys and how we battled all day. Three games and our energy never wavered and I am very proud of that. There was much more positive than negative in spite of letting games slip away and being our own worst enemy but this is why we came here to test ourselves.” On the day, HC led the invitational with 33 hits and finished in second place as Airport went 3-0 and the other three teams went 1-2. Now Holland Christian will take a day off, after seven games in five days, and get back into OK-Green play. The Maroons will travel just down the road to take on the Hawkeyes of Hamilton with first pitch slated for 4:15 p.m. PHOTOS
 | | Grant VanPutten threw 6 strong innings, and went 5-10 on the afternoon. |
Wednesday, April 22
Varsity "Parked" in Defeat
|  | | Peter Cupery pitched solidly in relief. | |
Though it was early in the season, the Wednesday OK-Green varsity
baseball contest between Wyoming Park and Holland Christian was a big
early season showdown.
HC entered the game in first place in the OK-Green with a 2-0 record,
while Wyoming Park entered sporting a 1-1 record. Despite the early
loss in conference, Park proved their merit by knocking off one of the
favorites in the OK-Green when they defeated Hamilton last week. The
pitcher on the hill in their win over the Hawkeyes, Todd Lindemuller,
took to the mound against the Maroons in a showdown of aces as HC
countered with their own number one pitcher in Jeff Victor. The
showdown never transpired however as Lindemuller held the Holland
Christian offense completely silent for the opening three innings of
the game while his offense supplied all the runs he would need.
Capitalizing on a blown bunt defense, Wyoming Park’s bats came alive
putting five runs on the board with the big blow coming off of the bat
of Lindemuller whose bases loaded double plated three. Leading 5-0
entering the bottom of the second, Park continued to plate runs putting
four more across, two of which came on a two run homerun. From there
the Vikings would add three runs in the third and one in the fourth to
total 13. Meanwhile, HC scratched across two runs in the fourth inning
but it was nowhere near enough as the Maroons were mercied in five
innings 13-2. The maroon and white got only four hits on the day as
Ryan Dykstra, Steve Lynch, Kevin Kloosterman and Alden Boven contributed singles in the
losing effort. Jeff Victor lasted only one and a third innings picking
up the loss to move his record to 2-2 on the year. Peter Cupery threw well in relief going right at the Vikings hitters.
HC's defense continued to struggle committing three errors in the
game. The Maroons, now 7-5 and 2-1, will be back in action on Thursday
as they match up with Zeeland West for the second time this season.
Just last week, HC defeated the Dux 16-4. The 4:15 p.m. will be held
at Dux Field with the Maroons serving as the home team. PHOTOS
Wednesday, April 22
JV Falls to Park
After jumping off to a hot start scoring 3 runs in the first, the
Maroons went cold leaving 7 on base, striking out 7 times, and then
leaving with a 5-3 loss once the game was called after the 5th inning
because a lack of sunlight. Nate Schepers got the tough luck loss
pitching a complete game, striking out 8, and giving up 3 earned runs.
Schepers is now 2-1 on the season. “Schep continues to do what we ask
him,” exclaimed head coach Adam Locker. “If we can get him to limit
his walks and if the defense strengthens behind him, he will continue
to have a great season.” The Maroons looked great out of the gate at
the plate, batting through the order in the first inning. They scored
3 runs but left the bases loaded. Those were the only runs the Maroons
would score and they would not send more than 4 batters to the plate in
each of the next 4 innings. The Maroons only managed 5 hits on the
night and Jon Kiekover continued his hot hitting streak by going 2 for
3 with a run scored and an RBI. Mitch Barry, Josh Meiste and
Nate Petroelje were the other Maroons to record a hit. The Maroons
will not have much time to worry about the loss as they are set to play
the Dux of Zeeland West, a team they beat just 7 days ago. The game is
slated to start at 4:15 at the freshmen field in Zeeland. PHOTOS
 | | Josh Meiste added a hit for the Maroons. |
 | | Dykstra improved to 2-0 on the season striking out 6. | |
Thursday, April 23
Maroons Redeem Themselves
|  | | Ryan Dykstra led the team going 3-3 at the plate. | |
It had been quite some time since the Maroons varsity baseball program
came to a field looking redeem themselves and the name of the program.
After being soundly defeated the day before by Wyoming Park, the
Maroons traveled to Zeeland West for their second matchup with the Dux
on the season. HC had previously defeated ZW 16-4 in their conference
opener, and looked to sweep the season series and get things back on
the right track for the team. With senior captain Ryan Dykstra
toeing the rubber, Holland Christian did just that winning 10-2.
Dykstra, making his second start of the season, was once again
phenomenal on the mound twirling five and two thirds innings in just
under eighty pitches to earn the win to improve to 2-0 on the year.
Dykstra gave up both of the Zeeland West runs, with only one of the
runs being earned. He struck out six men and walked three. Grant
VanPutten pitched the final inning and two thirds of scoreless relief
to close down the game. The Maroons pitted Dykstra with a 1-0 lead as
they pushed across a lone run in the bottom of the first inning. After
battling through a shaky first inning, Dykstra calmed and set the Dux
down in order in the second. Holland Christian then used a walk and an
error to put two men in scoring position for Dykstra. The Maroons
third hitter stepped to the plate and laced a double scoring both runs
to make it 3-0. Zeeland West would notch the lead down to 3-1 after
the third and that was where it stayed until the bottom of the fourth.
Dykstra was at the heart of the scoring again as this time he launched
a two RBI triple to right field to make it 5-1. The team would then
add five more runs in the fifth inning to open the game up as Nic
Kiekover, Jeff Victor, Dykstra and Steve Lynch had run scoring hits.
The Dux plated a run in the sixth inning but with the game firmly in
hand, the Maroons completed the 10-2 victory to improve to 8-5 on the
season and 3-1 in league play. “Our energy was better but our bats are
still a bit stagnant,” said head coach Mike Ott. “We are just being
too passive and once we started to swing the bat later in the game
things started to happen. It’s nice to win this game but we are a much
better team than we showed today and we continue to try and get better
each and everyday.” On the afternoon, Dykstra was a perfect 3-3
at the plate coming up a homerun shy of the cycle. Victor added two
hits as the team finished the day with 9 hits. Grant VanPutten and
Kevin Kloosterman also added singles in the contest. After struggling
in the field, HC committed only one error, an error on a pickoff throw,
to improve their chances of competing. The team will have Friday off
before traveling to Kalamazoo for the annual Kalamazoo Christian Fun
Fest. In game one, starting at noon, Holland Christian will match up
with South Christian. The Comets of Kalamazoo Christian will serve as
the Maroons second opponent immediately after.
Thursday, April 23
Maroons Run to Conference Win
| |  | | Ben Hill earned the victory in a complete game gem. |
One day after losing their first conference game of the season, the JV Baseball Maroons won 6-2 to complete the season sweep of Zeeland
West. Matt Garvelink and Josh Meiste led the offensive charge today.
Matt Garvelink went an impressive 3 for 3 with 3 base hits, a run
scored, and 3 stolen bases. “Garv has been working hard and it is
great to see it paying off,” said head coach Adam Locker after the
game. Josh Meiste was also great at the plate today going 2 for 3 with
2 base hits, 2 runs scored, a walk, and 2 steals. Mitch Barry, Nate
Petroelje, Alec Urivez, Jacob Hilbrand and Ben Hill also recorded one
hit each. The Maroons turned in a strong baserunning effort as they
stole a season high 14 bases on the day. “We had to be able to
manufacture runs today and we did it with double steals, base hit
bunts, sacrifice bunts, and even a couple of squeeze plays,” shared
assistant coach Dave Arendsen. The Maroons defense was just as strong
as their offense, in particular, Ben Hill. Hill made his first
start of the season today and he made the best of it. Hill pitched a
complete game giving up 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, and a very impressive
and team best, 10 strikeouts in a complete game win. “Hill focus and
confidence on the mound today was outstanding,” noted assistant coach
Glenn Benko, “he really did great today.” Hill is now 1-0 on the
season and will look to continue to be a big part of this Maroons’
pitching staff for the rest of the season. The Maroons will take part
in their first tournament of the season this weekend, taking on Lowell
High School in the opening game slated to start at noon on Saturday.
The Maroons will then continue conference play at Rogers High School on
Tuesday night. PHOTOS
Saturday, April 25
Red Arrows Pitcher Shuts Down JV
|  | | Jake Bruns threw well in his complete game effort. | |
The
JV Baseball Maroons traveled to Lowell on Saturday to take part in the
Lowell Invitational. They started the day against the Lowell Red Arrows
and it quickly turned into a battle. Jake Bruns toed the mound for
Maroons and got off to a great start. After retiring the first two
batters of the game, he gave up his first hit. Although, the batter
did not stay on base long. With the runner taking off early, Bruns
smartly stepped off the rubber, ran at him, and chased him down for the
last out of the inning. Bruns would continue and complete the game.
He only gave up 6 hits in 6 innings and had 3 strikeouts on the day
while giving up only 1 earned run. Because of three Maroons errors,
the Red Arrows were able to plate three runs. Those 3 runs were all
the Red Arrows needed to beat the Maroons as the Lowell pitcher went an
impressive 6 and 2/3 pitching no-hit baseball. Matt Garvelink broke up
the perfect game taking a pitch off his back. Then in the top of the
seventh, Jake Bruns legged out a bunt and wild throw. Bruns then stole
second and third and was driven home by a solid base hit by Jon
Kiekover. That would be the only run the Maroons would score and the
game ended with the Red Arrows on top 3-1. The consolation game was
rained out in the third inning against Greenville and it will not be
completed. The Maroons are hoping the weather clears up as they are
slated to play again Tuesday night against Wyoming Rogers at 6:30 p.m.
with HC looking for the season sweep against the Golden Hawks. PHOTOS
 | | Steve Lynch provided the only runs for HC with a 2 RBI single in the 1st. | |
Saturday, April 25
Lack of Energy, Coach's Decisions Cost Maroons
|  | | Jeff Victor was strong in the complete game effort. | |
Saturday
morning, the varsity baseball team traveled south to play in the annual
Kalamazoo Christian Funfest. This tournament has been anything for fun
for the Maroons over the past several years as they had yet to win both
games of the Invitational under current head coach Mike Ott. A
beautiful day greeted HC with their early departure but just like the
teams play over the day, it would be a day of ups and downs which saw
the sun disappear and two separate rain delays appear. Things got off
to a rousing start for Holland Christian against South Christian as
junior Jeff Victor was dominant in his first inning and got his
team off the field and up to bat. Victor quickly got the offense going
as the leadoff hitter singled and was soon moved to third on Ryan
Dykstra’s double. The pair both crossed the plate on a two RBI single
from Steve Lynch and HC was immediately up 2-0. With
runners on second and third later in the inning, the Maroons left them
stranded which would prove vital later in the game. As the second
inning began, lightning struck and then the skies opened up as both
teams sat for over ninety minutes in a rain delay. After the strong
surge of rain passed through, the sun shined once again and the teams
got back to work and HC continued where they left off. In the second
they had runners on second and third once again and left them on base
again. The team would not threaten again until the fifth inning when
Holland Christian left the runners standing on second and third for the
third time in the game. In the meantime, South Christian utilized two
walks, an error and four wild pitches to tie the game up at 2-2. With
their offense struggling, head coach Mike Ott began to force the issue
hoping to spark his team and the aggressive acts by the head coach
proved to be incorrect. In the sixth inning, with a runner already in
scoring position at second base, Kris
Lokker was thrown out trying to advance on a slow roller in the
infield. That gave the Sailors momentum and they took advantage of an
HC error on a strikeout to get on base in the top of the seventh.
After a wild pitch and a groundout, South Christian’s runner was
standing on third base and came running home on a single through a
drawn in infield. The run put South up 3-2 and that was where it stood
heading into the bottom of the seventh. Victor led the team off with a
single, but another aggressive move by Ott backfired as Victor was
thrown out trying to steal on a slidestep move by the Sailors closer on
the first pitch to second hitter Grant VanPutten. Two batters later,
HC’s hopes ended on a double play ball as South celebrated their 3-2
victory. “We have been scraping a bit here as of late,” said Ott. “We
are not doing the things in games we work day in and day out and we are
facing adversity as a program for really the first time. Today we
struggled at the plate, our energy was horrible all day long and I felt
like I had to force the issue to wake us up. We are really yearning
for better leadership on the field. Unfortunately my job is to give us
chances to win and with those two late calls, I really feel I cost the
guys and this team today and that is on me. We tell the guys to accept things when they do or don't do things and we as coaches need to do the same and I cost us today. I feel like all of us are
pressing and we just need to simplify and regroup.” The Maroons second
game against Kalamazoo Christian was rained out after just one inning.
The team will look to regroup on Tuesday when they head to Rogers High
School for their second OK-Green contest against the Golden Hawks. The
team is now 8-6 on the season.
 | | Nic Kiekover was on base four times as he led the offense going 4-4. | |
Tuesday, April 28
Early Surge Carries Maroons to Conference Win
| |  | | Luke Brower responded to being inserted in the starting lineup going 2-3. |
The coaching staff of the varsity baseball team was looking for a few things from their team on Tuesday and none of them had anything to do with talent or skill. “We have been fighting ourselves lately and just not showing up with any energy and passion,” said head coach Mike Ott. “We have to get back to being relaxed and enjoying our time on the field.” They would get that chance against the Golden Hawks of Rogers in the team’s fifth OK-Green conference game and it didn’t take long to notice a difference as the team plated six runs in the top half of the first inning. The first three hitters (Grant VanPutten, Alden Boven, Jeff Victor) all reached base with hits and came around to score. After Rogers got the team’s cleanup hitter out, the Maroons went back to work getting four straight hits including a big two RBI single from Luke Brower. In the inning, HC got extra base hits from Jeff Victor (double), Steve Lynch (triple) and Peter Cupery (double). Rogers would not lay down as they put three runs across in the bottom half of the first inning to make the score 6-3. Holland Christian continued to score when Ryan Dykstra came trotting home on Nic Kiekover’s second hit of the night, an RBI double into the left-center gap. Grant VanPutten began to shut down the Golden Hawk hitters allowing his offense to go to work. In the bottom of the third, Brower started the inning off with a double and then was standing on third after he stole third base. Over the course of the inning, HC would use two Rogers' errors to score three runs pushing their lead out to 10-3. They would tack two more on in the fourth, as VanPutten helped his own cause with a two RBI single, and then plated their thirteenth run of the game in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Nic Kiekover, his fourth of the day. That would be enough as VanPutten did not allow Rogers to score in innings two through five and Holland Christian took the 13-3 mercy rule victory to improve to 9-6 on the year, 4-1 in conference. Nic Kiekover led the offensive attack going 4-4 on the game contributing four of the team’s fourteen hits. VanPutten earned the win striking out three and walking three to improve his overall record to 2-1 on the season. “I thought we came out with a really nice game plan and executed it well early, but again got a bit flat in the middle of the game,” said head coach Mike Ott. “We continue to show glimpses of doing things really well, but still need to work on doing them consistently all game long. Today was a great step in the right direction.” After seemingly playing a game everyday for the past two weeks, the Maroons will get two days of work on the practice field before returning to action on Friday in Zeeland. HC will travel to Zeeland East for an OK-Green doubleheader with action beginning at 4:00 p.m. PHOTOS
Tuesday, April 28
JV Earns Sweep of Golden Hawks
The Maroons traveled to Rogers High School today and completed the
season sweep of the Golden Hawks in convincing fashion. After
defeating Rogers 20-1 in their first matchup, HC had another mercy rule
victory on Tuesday night. Nate Schepers (3-1) got the complete game
shutout as the Maroons won 11-0 in 5 innings. Schepers had one of his
strongest performances of the season as he pitched 5 innings, gave up 5
hits, and struck out 9, while walking no one. “Schepers’ consistency
has continued to win us games,” said head coach Adam Locker, “tonight
he was great.” Not only was Schepers hot on the mound, but the Maroons
offense was just as hot. Matt Garvelink, Jon Kiekover, and
Nate Schepers all had multi-hit games, all going 2 for 3 on the night.
Kiekover scored one run but made the most of his two hits by recording
3 RBI’s. Connor Leppink aggressively turned a routine single into a
double and then walked in his next at bat to get him on base twice. He
capitalized on those opportunities scoring both times. Josh Meiste also
had an extra base hit as he powered a line drive to the gap to score
Garvelink from second. Mitch Barry rounded out the Maroons hitting
attack as he went 1 for 2, narrowly missing a bunt for base hit
opportunity to start the game. The Maroons move to 4-3 on the season
and look to get a winning streak started as they head to Zeeland to
take on Zeeland East at a Friday conference doubleheader. Jon Kiekover
will start the first game that is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. at the
Zeeland freshmen field.
 | | Jon Kiekover drove in 3 and went 2-3 on the night. |
 | | Steve Lynch added two hits and two RBI in game one. | |
Saturday, May 2
Varsity Cannot Stop Big Innings; Falls Twice
|  | | Kevin Kloosterman singles twice and scored two runs in the DH. | |
Oh what a difference one inning can make. It would be safe to say that most in attendance at the Holland Christian-Zeeland East varsity baseball OK-Green doubleheader thought this at one point or another after the sixth inning of game one. With the Maroons serving as the home team in the first matchup, Holland Christian used a four run third inning to break open the scoring in the game. A leadoff single by Jeff Victor jumpstarted the inning and he was moved to second when Ryan Dykstra was hit by a pitch. Steve Lynch drove in Victor for the game’s first run and he was soon joined by Dykstra who came trotting home on Nic Kiekover’s RBI sacrifice fly. HC added two more runs on wild pitches to lead 4-0 through three innings. That is where the score would stay until the top of the sixth inning. All season long, the young Maroons’ team has squandered opportunities and struggled to stop big innings when things go wrong. That was the case once again Friday as they left seven runners in scoring position in the first five innings and then watched as the Chix first seven batters to come to the plate in the sixth came around to score. Victor, who was on cruise control, struck out the first batter of the inning but an error behind the plate allowed the runner to reach base. East would then add six hits and two walks to help them take a 7-4 lead. Holland Christian would tack on one run in the sixth and one in the seventh to close the game to 7-6. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, and the tying run on third and the winning run on second, ZE’s number one pitcher, Michael Meade, came in and struck out the final batter to end the Maroons hopes of comeback and take game one 7-6. Jeff Victor took the hard luck loss to drop to 2-4 on the year as he struck out 10 men and walked only 2. “It’s been the story of the year thus far,” said head coach Mike Ott. “You can say whatever you like, we are young or it’s early in the season, the fact still remains we have yet to find a way to overcome adversity and stop things from going bad because it continues to hamper us. One inning where one small thing goes wrong turns into a snowball effect and its hurting us.” The lengthy game one would play a vital role in game two as Zeeland East was able to win a shortened game due to darkness by an 8-7 score. HC jumped ahead in the top of the first as Alden Boven walked and came around to score on a Chix error. East would tie the game up in the bottom half of the first before the Maroons put two more runs across in the second to lead 3-1. After a seamless second inning, the bad inning reared its head once again as East used five walks and two doubles to score four runs and grabbed the 5-3 lead. Holland Christian fought back and tied the game back up at 5-5 on another Chix error and an RBI single by Grant VanPutten. As fast as HC was back in the game, they were quickly behind again as the maroon and white could not clamp down allowing Zeeland East to score three runs on four straight hits. With darkness looming, the visiting Maroons had one final chance in the top of the fifth and they responded. Singles by Victor and Ryan Dykstra started the inning and the tandem would come around to score cutting the game to 8-7. Runners were now on second and third and Holland Christian was only a base hit away from regaining the lead, which could not come at a better time with the game about ready to be called. East would once again find a way as they got HC to strike out looking and ground out back to the pitcher to seal the game and the OK-Green sweep. Nic Kiekover took the loss on the mound in relief to drop to 1-1 on the year. The losses drop Holland Christian to 9-8 on the year and 4-3 in conference. “It’s just disappointing,” said Ott. “It’s not so much that we are losing, it’s how we are losing. Not doing things we are prepared for, making simple mistakes, the lack of mental toughness...all things in our control. Forget the other team, we need to focus on our own play and get things squared away.” They will try and do this on Saturday when they head to Grand Rapids for the Belding Invitational beginning at 9:00 a.m.
 | | Alex Nienhuis provided the biggest blow of game one with a 2B off the fence. | |
Saturday, May 2
Details Hamper Maroons in Split
| |  | | Sophomore Jake Bruns kept HC in game 2 with 3.2 innings of relief. |
Thirteen hours after the varsity baseball team completed their doubleheader with Zeeland East, they were back at it suiting up in the Belding Invitational held at Northview High School. The early start saw Holland Christian square off with the host Belding as the Maroons sent sophomore Grant VanPutten to the mound. After efficiently working through a 42 pitch outing on Tuesday in which he gathered a victory, VanPutten continued his mastery on the hill on Saturday morning. HC was the first to cross the plate as the Maroons capitalized on a Redskin error to take an early 1-0 lead. Belding could not manage anything in the top of the second and the maroon and white added to their lead as sophomore Alex Nienhuis ripped a double off the base of the right centerfield fence. He would come around and score on a great two strike, two out double from Kevin Kloosterman. The early 2-0 lead provided Holland Christian with all the momentum but they slowly began to give it back to Belding leaving the Redskins in the contest. VanPutten was tremendous as he contained the opposing bats utilizing his strong defense and holding Belding scoreless through six innings. In what is becoming an eerie theme of the season thus far, HC left twelve runners on base, including seven in scoring position, to maintain the slim two run advantage heading into the final inning. After retiring the first two batters, Belding’s number seven hitter slammed a solo homerun to cut the game to 2-1. VP showed great mental toughness bearing down and retiring the next batter on a harmless infield pop up to seal his third win of the year, and the team’s tenth, by a score of 2-1. In game one, the Maroons finished with six hits as Jeff Victor, Ryan Dykstra, Nic Kiekover and Luke Brower joined in with singles. Off the victory, the team moved into the championship game facing off with Portland, who defeated Northview 4-3. Playing as the home team for the second straight game, Holland Christian jumped ahead early once again plating a run in the first on an RBI single by Steve Lynch. HC would add another run in the second, on an RBI single by Kevin Kloosterman, and they led 2-0. The aspect of their doubleheader sweep from the day before was the inability to stop a big inning and it occurred once again in the Portland half of the third. Starter Peter Cupery, who had been on cruise control in the first two innings, hit the first batter and Portland then proceeded to overwhelm the Maroons with four straight hits to score five runs in the frame. “It’s been the story of the year,” noted head coach Mike Ott. “We are waiting for that big inning to happen and when something goes wrong early we just crack and cannot get anyone to step up or anything to roll our way. If we could find ways to close down these big innings we would be in a much better situation that the one we find ourselves in.” The visitors would add another run in the top of the fourth to claim a 6-2 lead before fellow sophomore Jake Bruns relieved Cupery on the mound and ended the threat. The score was cut to 6-3, on another RBI single by Kloosterman, and then Bruns began to dictate the tempo on the mound. Pounding the strike zone with terrific efficiency, Bruns worked a scoreless fifth and sixth to keep his team in the game but mental errors killed the Maroons chances of taking the lead. While HC would score two runs in the bottom of the sixth to close the score to 6-5, they ran themselves out of both the fifth and sixth inning on two blown signs that would prove costly. Portland plated two runs in the top of the seventh, both unearned, and held an 8-5 advantage. Once again, Holland Christian fought back and put the winning run in scoring position with two outs. Nic Kiekover’s two RBI double plated two runs to cut the score to 8-7 and he stood on second with two outs. Portland escaped the jam, and won the game, on a groundout to the third baseman to seal the tournament title. HC managed only five hits in game two. “It’s beyond frustrating because I know the capability of this team and we have yet to, in nineteen games, put a full game together both offensively, defensively and on the mound,” added Ott. “We are scraping at the plate as an entire team and have to get back to the basics consistently. We just continue giving games away because of small details that we are in control.” The loss drops Holland Christian to 10-9 on the year, as they head into a busy week. HC will play eight games in seven days, including three games at the team’s Jon Hooker Memorial Tournament on Saturday May 9. The week will begin on Tuesday when the Maroons travel to Hamilton to face the Hawkeyes at 4:00 p.m. in a conference doubleheader. PHOTOS
 | | The JV fought to pick up their 7th victory in an OK-Green split with Hamilton | |
Tuesday, May 5
Maroons Split with Hawkeyes
|  | | Freshman Tyler Lambers came up with the big hit in game 1. | |
The Maroons headed to Hamilton today to play a doubleheader. After a thrilling victory in the nightcap against Zeeland East, the Maroons (6-4) took the field as the visiting team in the opening game against the Hawkeyes (11-3). The Maroons took advantage of every opportunity they were given in the first game, and they needed too. The Maroons got the scoring started in the 3rd inning when Connor Leppink scored on Jon Kiekover’s base hit after reaching on a walk. Kiekover would end up scoring that inning as well after Nate Schepers took a pitch off of his back with the bases loaded. HC would then score again in the 4th after Trevor Brewer reached on a base hit to open the inning. Then Leppink and Mitch Barry would follow with back-to-back base hits to get Brewer in to score. Hamilton would nudge across their first run of the game in the bottom of the 4th inning after a leadoff double to bring the score to 3-1. Josh Meiste answered quickly after by leading off the fifth with a double and then scoring on a Schepers base hit, bringing the game to 4-1. Still, the Hawkeyes would not go away quietly. They were able to put 3 across in the 5th to tie the game at 4-4. During the top of the 6th inning, the Maroons came out swinging and put across 3 runs. After loading the bases, Jacob Hilbrand drew a walk to score 1 and with two outs, Trevor Brewer had a 2 RBI single hit sharply to left field. It looked like the Maroons would cruise with a 7-4 victory but the Hawkeyes would keep fighting back. Hamilton would score 4 in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead, 8-7. No worries for the HC faithful though as the Maroons would fight back, but not without making it interesting. The Hawkeyes were able to retire the first two batters in the top of the 7th inning but Jon Kiekover drew a 2 out walk, Josh Meiste followed with a clutch single and Alec Urivez drew another 2 out walk to load the bases. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, Tyler Lambers would come to the plate after entering the game only one inning sooner. Lambers would go on to hit the game winning single after taking the 1-1 pitch to the left-center gap scoring two. “It was a huge hit,” exclaimed head coach Adam Locker. “It was a pressure filled situation and Lambers took advantage of his opportunity, I am very excited for him.” The Maroons would end up retiring the Hawkeyes 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 7th to preserve their 7th win of the season by a 9-8 score. Three players would record multiple hits for the Maroons. Trevor Brewer ended the game going 2-4 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored. Josh Meiste went 3-4 with a double, a walk, and 3 runs scored. Mitch Barry, Jon Kiekover, and Connor Leppink would each record one hit. Even with all that success, Nate Schepers finished the game going 4-4 with a double, and a run scored. Schepers did not only have a great game at the plate but was also dominant as the games starting pitcher. Schepers went 5 1/3 innings spreading out 8 hits, 2 walks, striking out 3, and giving up 6 runs. Schepers was able to calm a Hawkeye offense that had been over powering teams all season long. “He kept our kids off balance all night long and did a very nice job,” noted the Hawkeyes JV head coach Brian Grabinski. Jon Kiekover would record the win as he entered in the bottom of the 6th and would have the Maroons hitters overcome the 1 run deficit to get the win. In 1 2/3 innings of work, Kiekover gave up 1 hit, no walks, had 1 strike out, and gave up 2 runs, 1 earned, after 1 error behind him. The excitement from game one would die down quickly as the Hawkeye bats ignited and they won the night cap 17-0 in a mercy shortened game. The Maroons will travel to Kelloggsville to play at Kellogg Woods Park starting at 4:00 p.m. PHOTOS
 | | Kevin Kloosterman reached base in five of six chances. | |
Tuesday, May 5
Maroons Miss Opportunities, Hawkeyes Do Not in Sweep
| |  | | Jeff Victor suffered the tough luck loss in game 2. He added 4 hits on the day. |
The game of baseball is often referred to as the field where life’s lessons are taught. While many would like to believe everything is always rosy and things go well, the fact of the matter is that life is full of trials and adversity. These are the lessons that the Holland Christian varsity baseball team are being schooled on as of late as the Maroons slid under .500 for the first time under head coach Mike Ott as they are now 10-11 after a doubleheader sweep at the hands of pre-season conference favorite Hamilton. Despite a valiant effort from the Maroons, a fundamentally sound Hawkeyes team displayed flawless defense, great pitching and timely hitting to earn the 6-4 and 4-3 victories. In both contests, Holland Christian led late only to watch Hamilton take advantage of their opportunities to continue their hold on first place in the OK-Green. In game one, serving as the visitor, HC missed a chance in the first inning leaving two runners on but would push across a run in the second inning on an RBI groundout by sophomore Peter Cupery. Hamilton responded to tie the game in the bottom of the frame but the Maroons vaulted back into the lead scoring two runs in the third inning on a two RBI single by Kevin Kloosterman, who would reach base in five of six chances on the day. Hamilton added a solo run in the fourth off Maroons starter Ryan Dykstra. The score would stay locked at 3-2 headed into the bottom of the sixth. Heading into the game, HC had nine losses, eight of which included an inning where their opposition had scored four or more runs. After the sixth inning concluded, the number would improve to nine as Hamilton used three walks, a hit by pitch and costly two base error on a bunt, that was eerily similar to the way Holland Christian lost their district game last season on the very same field, to plate four runs and leap into a 6-3 lead. The Maroons showed they would not give up, as Steve Lynch cut the score to 6-4 on an RBI single. Two batters later, the bases were loaded with two outs and HC was only a single away from tying the game back up. Alex Tenckinck entered the game for Hamilton and slammed the door shut striking out the lone batter he faced to earn the save in game one. His day was not complete, as he would return to stall the Maroons offensive attack once again in the second game. After a short break between games, Jeff Victor, working on three days rest, toed the rubber for Holland Christian in game two. Hamilton was not content with just one win and they showed that in the second inning capitalizing again on the Maroons mistakes scoring two runs on a walk and an HC error to make it 2-0. Again the Maroons would answer plating two runs in the bottom of the second on a two out 2 RBI double by Victor. While they would leave more men in scoring position in the second, HC pushed across a single run in the third inning on an RBI single from Nic Kiekover to take a 3-2 lead through three innings. Just as they had down all day long, the Hawkeyes answered back tying the game in the fourth inning as another HC error led to a run. Tied at three, Tenckinck, who relieved Hamilton’s starter, began to shut down the offensive attack for the Maroons, as they would move only one runner into scoring position over the next three innings. While HC was struggling to score, Hamilton finally capitalized again, this time in the sixth. Hamilton reached base on the team’s third error of the game and would just beat a throw in from the outfield to score two batters later. HC would go quietly in the sixth and seventh to lose game two 4-3. “You look at the difference in the game and it was clear as day, they took advantages of the opportunities they got and we did not,” aid head coach Mike Ott. “You can’t give good teams opportunity after opportunity. We walked thirteen hitters today and made four key errors on the day and they made each one hurt. They played phenomenal fundamental mistake free baseball and it cost us today. I thought our guys competed much better and I thought we played a lot better than we had been but we still got bit by the things that have been hurting us a lot lately. Leaving runners on base, errors, walks, just things we can control. We just need to realize it may be an early at bat or an early opportunity, but you never know which run, or which at bat, will change the course of the game. Tip your hat to Hamilton, they are a solid team and we knew that coming in and hopefully our guys learned something from watching them on how fundamental baseball wins games. This was a step in the right direction for us, we just need to keep building on this so we can get out of this rut.” On the day, HC tallied thirteen hits to twelve for Hamilton with Victor’s four hits leading the charge. Holland Christian (10-11 / 4-5) will look to rebound on Wednesday when they travel to Kelloggsville for a late 5:30 p.m. non-conference start. PHOTOS
Wednesday, May 6
Varsity Back in Winning Column
|  | | Alden Boven ripped a big 3 RBI, bases clearing triple. | |
One of the perks of playing baseball is the opportunity team’s have to
rebound quickly from defeats. Holland Christian’s varsity baseball
team got that chance on Wednesday afternoon when they played at a later
time of 5:30 p.m. against the Kelloggsville Rockets. A day after the
Maroons were swept by OK-Green foe Hamilton, HC rebounded getting back
on the right side of things defeating Kelloggsville 15-0 in five
innings. Starter Nic Kiekover flourished on the mound throwing a
complete game one hitter in which he struck out six men and walked only
one. While Kiekover was holding down the opposing hitter’s, Holland
Christian’s offense went to work. After a scoreless first inning, the
Maroons plated a run in the second inning as Steve Lynch smashed a
triple off the right center fence. He would come home on a wild pitch
to put HC up 1-0. That would end up being the winning run but the
maroon and white would not stop there. A six run third was sparked by
an RBI triple by Jeff Victor and then a bases loaded, 3 RBI triple by
Alden Boven. Leading 7-0, Holland Christian put the game away
in the fifth inning as they pushed across eight runs in the frame.
Kelloggsville issued six free passes in the inning before Kevin
Kloosterman clubbed a two RBI double. Ryan Dykstra and Alex Nienhuis
also added RBI singles in the inning as well. Despite the fifteen run
victory, HC only had seven hits with four of them coming in the extra
base variety. “It feels good to get back in the winning column,” said
head coach Mike Ott. “We still are working on our offensive approaches
at the plate for better consistency but we saw glimpses today.” With
the win, Kiekover improved to 2-1 on the year. Next up for HC will be
a doubleheader on Friday when they travel to Unity Christian Athletic
Complex. A bit depleted in pitching, and with the Jon Hooker Memorial
Tournament on Saturday, Holland Christian will take on the Crusaders
with the first pitch coming at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6
Maroons Fly by Rockets
| |  | | Trevor Brewer stayed hot for the JV going 2 for 4. |
One day after giving up 17 runs in 3 innings the day before, the JV Baseball Maroons scored 13 as they cruised to a 13-1 win over the Rockets of Kelloggsville. The Maroons hitting attack was fueled by 4 particular players. Trevor Brewer continued his success at the plate by going 2-4 with a double and two runs scored. Jon Kiekover went 3-4 on the day and scored one run while Ben Timmerman also had a great game as he went 3-4 with a double and two runs scored. Last but not least, Ben Hill went a perfect 4-4 on the day by hitting 3 singles and a double and scoring two times. “All of the boys were hitting the ball hard today,” said head coach Adam Locker. “These boys were able to find the holes and make the most of all of their at bats.” Nate Petroelje, Josh Meiste, and Tyler Lambers each recorded one hit on the day. With all of that run support, Nate Petroelje had a lot of breathing room on the mound. Even with a large lead through most of the game, Petroelje fought hard for the complete game win. Petroelje gave up only 3 hits and only walked one batter. There were 2 errors behind him and the one run that scored was unearned. “We needed someone to be able to consistently pump the strike zone, Petroelje was able to do that tonight,” noted assistant coach Glenn Benko. The Maroons look to finish the week strongly as they travel to conference rival, Unity Christian, to take on the Crusaders in a Friday afternoon double header. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8. PHOTOS
Friday, May 8
Unity Swept by JV Team
| |  | | Jon Bosma's 2-3 game 2 helped the JV complete the sweep. |
After splitting double-headers with Zeeland East and Hamilton, the JV Baseball Maroons finally were able to complete a sweep and it came at the expense of one of their biggest rivals, Unity Christian. Luke Brower toed the mound for the first game of the double-header and he was able to control the Crusaders’ bats by giving up only 5 hits, striking out 2, and giving up 0 earned runs. The Maroons needed a pitching performance like that because after 6 innings the Maroons, as the away team, had only 1 hit. They did although take advantage of the 7 walks they drew along with that one hit and scored 4 runs to take a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 6th. Nate Schepers took over on the mound for Brower and did not let up. He got the Crusaders out 1-2-3 in the 6th and then after the Maroons added 2 more runs in the top of the 7th, he struck out the side to solidify the Maroons first victory of the evening. Mitch Barry, Matt Garvelink, Josh Meiste, Jon Kiekover, and Alec Urivez would all recorded one hit in the game and Connor Leppink perfectly executed a squeeze bunt to score the Maroons 4th run of the game. In game 2, Jon Kiekover led the Maroons pitching attack. Kiekover was dominant through 4 innings and made it though 5 innings total. He gave up only 4 hits, had 6 strikeouts, and ended up giving up 6 walks and 2 runs, although only 1 was earned. The Maroons needed that type of effort at the mound because runs were hard to come by against the Crusaders in game 2 as well. Although it was clutch hitting that won the game for the Maroons. Four different Maroon hitters had extra base hits. Ben Timmerman went 1-3 with a strong double. Alec Urivez went 1-3 with a 2 out double that scored 2 runs. Jon Bosma went 2-3 with a single and a double. Bosma also had a stolen base and an RBI. Then another 2 RBI shot came when Trevor Brewer took a ball deep to right and flew around the bases to record a triple. Jon Kiekover and Mitch Barry also recorded hits in the game and Mitch Barry and Josh Meiste both recorded stolen bases. “We did what we needed to do to win the games,” said head coach Adam Locker, “It was great to finally play two complete games and come out on top both times, I am really happy for the boys.” The Maroons now take on Wyoming Park on Tuesday, May 12 as they try to avenge a darkness-shortened loss. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at Lamar Park, immediately following the Varsity game. PHOTOS
 | | Peter Cupery led the way striking out 10, while walking 0, in his complete game. | |
Friday, May 8
Rivalry Game Ends With Split
|  | | Ryan Dykstra led the way going 4 for 6 on the day. | |
On Friday, the rivalry between Holland Christian and Unity Christian crossed in between the white lines on the Crusaders’ baseball field as the two league foes linked up for an OK-Green doubleheader. The two games would be previews of what was to come three weeks in the future as the two schools drew one another in the MHSAA District and will play for the third time on Saturday, May 30 at 12:30 p.m. at Hamilton High School. The two games were polar opposites for the Maroons as they fell in game one by a 10-7 score and won game two 7-3. In game one, HC was forced to use three pitchers and walked eleven Unity batters in the defeat. UC was able to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first but HC responded with two of their own on a Ryan Dykstra RBI triple, who would score on a Steve Lynch RBI groundout. The Crusaders would take advantage of the walks in the second and third innings to jump out to an 8-2 lead before Kris Lokker came on in relief. The senior, who is not used as a pitcher for the Maroons, showcased great tenacity going right after the Unity hitters holding them scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings. During that time, Holland Christian cut the lead to 8-7 with two in the fourth and three runs in the fifth inning. The big blow of that inning came on a bases clearing 3 RBI double by Nic Kiekover. Unfortunately that would as close as they would get as Unity fought back plating two in the top of the sixth to chase the tired Lokker. Another non-pitcher would toe the rubber and Josh Arendsen followed Lokker’s example tossing a scoreless inning and two thirds. Steve Lynch took the loss on the mound. In game two it was the complete opposite as sophomore Peter Cupery led the way throwing a complete game as he struck out ten men and walked no one. The offense pitted Cupery with an immediate lead with two runs in the first as the team scored on a wild pitch and then Lynch ripped an RBI single. They added two more runs in the second inning on a clutch single by Luke Brower. Brower would come up big four innings later on a big RBI double to help HC add to their then 6-1 lead. They would add a final run in the seventh for insurance. As big as the seven runs were, the story of the game was Cupery’s performance on the mound. Unity could not get anything going through the first four innings as the Maroons defense shined turning two double plays in the infield. The defense would be pivotal again in the fifth as UC mounted a charge putting the first three batters on in the fifth inning. All season long, the Maroons have fought the big inning not being able to stop the bleeding but in the fifth the team stepped up and bandaged the wound. After the first run was plated, Unity’s lofted a soft fly ball into left field that looked as if it were going to continue the scoring. That was until Kevin Kloosterman came sliding in to the picture and made a shoestring catch, as shortstop Jeff Victor leapt over him. The spectacular catch saved a run but Kloosterman popped up and gunned out the runner at second for the huge double play. Cupery would strike the next man out to elude any further harm. The amazing defense continued as Ryan Dykstra laid out, parallel to the ground, in right center to make a sensational grab as would Grant VanPutten at third base. Unity would add two runs in the seventh to make the score seem closer than the game was. “It was a day of extremes,” said head coach Mike Ott. “Our pitching in game never gave us a chance as you cannot win a game when you walk 11 guys. In game two, Cupery and our defense were phenomenal. It was awesome to watch.” On the day, Dykstra led the way going four for six with two extra base hits. Holland Christian, now 12-12 (5-6), will host the Jon Hooker Memorial Tournament on Saturday playing Potter’s House at 10:00 a.m. at Hope College’s Boeve Stadium. PHOTOS
 | | The varsity team hosted the 3rd Annual Jon Hooker Memorial Tournament. | |
Saturday, May 9
Maroons Fall Short in Hooker Tourney
|  | | Jeff Victor slammed the door earning the save in game 2. | |
Saturday morning signaled the start of the third annual Jon Hooker Memorial Tournament for the HC varsity baseball team. Honoring the life of Jon Hooker, a teammate and close friend to Holland Christian’s head coach Mike Ott, the tournament welcomed eight teams at four sites (Hope College, West Ottawa, Zeeland East & Zeeland West). The tournament had raised nearly $15,000 in the last two years, which had been given away in the form of scholarships and Saturday the cause was back in action. HC opened up play against Potter’s House in the opening round at Hope College’s field. Sophomore Jake Bruns carried the team early as he put up zeroes on the mound striking out seven in four innings of work. While Bruns was dominating, HC put up runs in each of the four innings, including four in the fourth on doubles by Kevin Kloosterman and Kris Lokker, his second of the game. With a 7-0 lead, all eighteen players for HC played in the game, including three making their varsity debuts (Mitch Barry, Connor Leppink & Ben Timmerman). The Maroons won the opening contest 8-0 banging out eleven hits as the team was highlighted by Barry and Leppink singling in their first at bat. Bruns earned the victory to improve to 2-0 on the season. After a length wait, Zeeland West emerged at Hope College, after defeating Muskegon 14-7. This would be the third time the teams had faced one another, as the Maroons won the two conference contests earlier in the season. It was quite apparent the squads were familiar with one another as they locked in a grudge match. The game did not start that way however as the Maroons plated three runs in the first inning on RBI singles from Ryan Dykstra and Steve Lynch. The Dux showed their moxie fighting back as they scored two in the second and one in the third to knot the score up at 3-3. After Grant VanPutten, HC’s starter, held ZW scoreless in the fourth inning, HC’s offense went back on the attack. Kris Lokker’s two strike RBI single put HC ahead 5-4 and they would continue to add to it as VanPutten helped his own cause ripping a big 2 RBI double to make it 7-4. Holland Christian would get one final run in the fifth to take an 8-4 lead. As fast as the lead had been established, it had all but vanished. Zeeland West fought back once again scoring three runs and loading the bases with two outs. With the maroon and white’s back against the wall, Jeff Victor was called on in relief. The junior ace looked the part striking out the Dux hitter to end the threat. In the sixth inning Victor would work his magic again escaping another bases loaded jam striking out the final hitter to keep the score at 7-6. Grant VanPutten hit his second double of the game, which plated Peter Cupery, for a huge insurance run heading into the final frame. Up 8-6, Victor bore down and struck out the side to seal the 8-6 victory to send Holland Christian to the championship game for the third straight season. VanPutten’s two doubles helped him go 2 for 3 in game two to lead the team. Now in the championship, the long day of baseball pitted local rivals against one another as the Panthers of West Ottawa won their two earlier contests (6-2 over Covenant Christian and 13-1 over Zeeland East). West Ottawa’s hot bats were not cooled by the travel over to Boeve Stadium and they put this in action from the first pitch. Behind 19 hits, West Ottawa defeated Holland Christian 16-6 to claim the title. The game stayed close until the fourth inning when the potent offense put up an eight spot to take a commanding lead. In the end, the six inning contest saw West Ottawa score in five of their six innings. “To say they could hit the ball would be a major understatement,” noted head coach Mike Ott. “They do exactly what we try and do every game, let the ball get deep and drive it the other way and they are very efficient at doing it. They were arguably the best offensive team I have ever coached against.” Ryan Dykstra led the charge for HC going three for three in the game to end the day going 7 for 9 on the day. The two wins improved the Maroons record to 14-13 on the season. “It’s disappointing not to win this,” noted Ott. “But the day was a great day and it honored Hook and my guys gave everything they had and we lost to a team that was better than us and I am okay with that. I'm very proud of them and their effort because it was nothing short of phenomenal.” Holland Christian returns to conference action on Tuesday when they take on Wyoming Park at 4:15 p.m. at Lamar Park. PHOTOS
 | | Grant VanPutten ripped 2 doubles and earned the win in game 2. |
 | | The varsity claimed a big OK-Green win to even their conference record at 7-7. | |
Tuesday, May 12
Redemption Claimed with Walk-Off Victory
|  | | Kevin Kloosterman delivered the walk-off single and game winning RBI. | |
Embarrassing is a tough word to use in the athletic world as most athletes and coaches function on pride. Unfortunately for Holland Christian, the first time the Maroons traveled to Lamar Park to face Wyoming Park, the varsity baseball team was embarrassed when they were defeated 13-2 in a mercy shortened win. That game had loomed in the head of many on the HC roster and on Tuesday afternoon, the maroon and white got their shot at redemption. The potent lineup of Wyoming Park pummeled the ball in their previous matchup but the tune of the game was much different in the squad’s second matchup of the season. Junior Nic Kiekover, who was battling illness, stepped up majorly for Holland Christian getting them out off a bases loaded first inning jam with only one out. The junior elicited a groundball and a strikeout to escape harm. Park did come back in the second to score two unearned runs and grab a 2-0 lead but the lead would be short lived. Steve Lynch led off the inning and ripped a screaming line drive into right field. The ball was hit so hard that the right fielder tried to make a catch but by the time he put his glove down the ball was by him and the hustling Lynch rumbled to third base. Lynch would come home on a single by Nic Kiekover, who ran to second on a throwing error by the Park third baseman. Three batters later, Grant VanPutten laced a big two out, two strike curveball into right field to score Mitch Barry and Peter Cupery and gave HC a 3-2 lead. That is where the score would stay as Kiekover and WP pitcher, Casey Stammis, locked in a pitcher’s dual as no team scored a run in the middle three innings. In the sixth, Wyoming Park knotted the score at 3-3 on a wild pitch before Kiekover got the next two batters out to allow his team a chance to take the lead. Holland Christian put a runner on third with two outs but Stammis got a strike out to escape from the inning. With Kiekover nearing his pitch count, the Maroons sent Ryan Dykstra to the mound and he put together a solid seventh inning getting the top three hitters of the Viking’s order out in just six pitches. The door had been opened for Holland Christian and they stepped through it as Jeff Victor walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh. After a perfect VanPutten sacrifice bunt, Dykstra singled to the left side of the infield that was just knocked down by a diving third baseman. The deflected ball stopped Victor at third base, just ninety feet from an HC win. Kevin Kloosterman stepped to the plate and ripped the first pitch he saw straight up the middle. The ball was just knocked down by the diving Park shortstop but there was no play as it rolled towards the outfield grass. The single sent home Victor and emptied the Maroons dugout onto the field celebrating the 4-3 walk-off win. Dykstra earned the win in relief but Kiekover’s six inning gem gave the team the opportunity to win. “We have been plugging away all season long and we really were solid in all three phases today and showed we can compete with anyone,” said head coach Mike Ott. VanPutten led the offensive charge going a perfect 3-3 on the day. Holland Christian, now 15-13 and 6-6 in league, will travel to Allendale for a non-conference contest beginning at 4:15 p.m.
 | | Grant VanPutten led the offensive charge going 3-3. |
 | | Senior Kevin Kloosterman stayed hot going 3-3 with 3 doubles. | |
Wednesday, May 13
No Letdown for Varsity
|  | | Peter Cupery put together his second straight complete game on the mound. | |
Even before the first pitch was thrown at Allendale High School, the Maroons varsity baseball team had listened to several talks about playing hard coming off a big win. A day after a walk-off victory over Wyoming Park, Holland Christian traveled to fifth ranked Allendale to take on the Falcons in a mid-week non-conference clash. Many teams often suffer letdowns after big wins and head coach Mike Ott and his staff were trying to make sure this did not occur with his team. After a four run first inning, it certainly seemed as if the team was mentally ready. Holland Christian used four walks and two hit by pitches to go with RBI singles from Steve Lynch and Alden Boven to take a 4-0 lead. The Falcons, who were riding a fourteen game winning streak, showed why they were 15-3 and ranked so highly in the state as they answered with three runs of their own, off a three run homerun, to cut the deficit to 4-3 after the first inning. The fireworks would keep going for HC as the right arm of sophomore Peter Cupery squelched the momentum of Allendale. The Maroons got one run in the second inning, off a Kevin Kloosterman double, and then proceeded to add four more runs in the third inning, with two runs coming to the plate on a 2 RBI double from Kloosterman. They would add two runs in the sixth inning and one more in the seventh to end the night with 12 runs. While the offense was producing runs, Cupery went to work on Allendale’s potent lineup. Coming off a complete game victory over Unity Christian on Friday, Cupery followed it up with another strong start hurling his second complete game of the year. The Falcons were limited to only two hits over the last six innings. They would add runs in the third inning, on an HC error, and an unearned run was scored in the seventh after the eight hitter for Allendale reached base after striking out. He would come around to score to bring the final score to 12-5 in HC’s favor. Cupery struck out five and walked only two in the tremendous outing. “Cupery was solid again holding down a very good offensive team,” added Ott. “He has been effective going right at teams and limiting the free passes. He has great stuff and is beginning to fill the shoes we knew he was capable of.” On the game, the Maroons pounded out 11 hits, three of which came off the bat of Kloosterman. The senior has been one of the most consistent weapons as of late for Holland Christian as he was a perfect 3-3 with three doubles. Lynch was also solid in the middle of the lineup adding two singles and was joined by Alden Boven in the multi-hit club. “I thought we got great production from the middle of the lineup but we need to do a better job putting the other team away,” noted Ott. “Our plate appearances in the middle innings lacked purpose and focus and that could come back to hurt us later.” Now riding a two game winning streak, HC (16-13) will wrap up their OK-Green season on Friday when they travel to Byron Center. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13
Darkness Hurts JV Again
The
Maroons were forced to end another game early because of a lack of
sunlight and for the second time this year the score did not end up in
their favor. The JV continued their struggles from Tuesday with
errors and a minimal hitting attack. Ben Hill got the start tonight
and recorded what ended up being a complete game, 5 innings pitched.
He
gave up 7 hits, struck out 5, and walked 1. Still, with that pitching
performance, Allendale scored 6 runs as the Maroon defense was plagued
with 3 fielding errors to win 6-5. Unfortunately, the hitting was not there for
the Maroons either. Only three Maroon batters recorded a hit. Jon
Kiekover and Josh Meiste each had a basehit and a run scored.
Jacob
Hilbrand had the Maroons only other base hit. Trevor Brewer did
everything he could with his at-bats as he did not record an official
at-bat but drew 3 walks and had a stolen base and a run scored. "We
really struggled offensively," said head coach Adam Locker. "We
haven;t had the breaks go our way but we will get back on track." The
slumping Maroons will look to get back on track as they take on Byron
Center in a Friday afternoon doubleheader, slated to start at 4:00 p.m.
 | | Jon Kiekover laced one of the Maroons singles. |
Friday, May 15
Maroons Lack Energy in DH Sweep
| |  | | Jeff Victor had 4 of the team's 11 hits in their DH. |
The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ways of the varsity baseball team caught up to them on Friday in their conference doubleheader with Byron Center. The young Maroons have suffered through spells of lethargic play where their own errors and mistakes have cost them several games. On the other hand, the team has also shown the ability to play with some of the top teams in the area and state with strong pitching and defense along with a potent offense. The issue all season long has been the inconsistency that is often attributed to young teams and it reared its head in Byron Center. The host Bulldogs wasted very little time exerting themselves over HC allowing them to emerge victorious in both ends of the doubleheader by scores of 12-2 and 3-0. In game one, Byron Center plated two runs in the second inning and then pushed three more across in the third. They would add three more runs in the fifth chasing HC starter Jeff Victor. Byron put four more runs up in the sixth inning to force the game to be called due to MHSAA mercy rules. The key to the game early in the contest was Byron Center’s ability to score with two outs and that was seen in the pivotal moment of the contest. With the Bulldogs leading 2-0 in the third, HC had two outs and the bases were loaded. The hitter fell behind in a 0-2 count but found a way to get the count back to 3-2. With the runner’s moving, the Bulldogs fifth hitter laced a bases clearing single to break open the game. HC’s offense stalled out not able to get anything going until the sixth when Grant VanPutten and Ryan Dykstra scored the team’s lone two runs. The lack of offense continued in the second game as Holland Christian managed only five hits and was unable to score. Jeff Victor led the way going a perfect three for three and would lead the team with four hits on the day. He was joined by Kevin Kloosterman who also was perfect on the afternoon going two for two for the team’s five hits. Byron Center managed only three hits off starter Ryan Dykstra, but three HC errors led to three unearned runs. The Maroons never could get anything going and fell in game two 3-0. Dykstra took the loss on the mound in game two but pitched strongly as he struck out five and walked only one. “We couldn’t get anything going all day long as we got away from focusing on the process,” said head coach Mike Ott. “Beyond the loss, I am extremely disappointed in the way we played as we were lifeless and lacked energy all day long. We work so hard to get ready for games and we show up and have no focus or energy and it keeps killing us. It's very frustrating, especially with how well we had been playing as of late.” Holland Christian ends the OK-Green season with a 6-8 record and is currently 16-15.
Sunday, May 24
Maroons Fall Late to Dutch
There have been no game recaps since the Maroons were swept in their OK-Green finale by Byron Center but in the meantime, HC fell to the Holland Dutch as they scored two in the bottom of the seventh, with two outs, to defeat HC 7-6. The Maroons completed the regular season with an 18-16 record after defeating Creston twice over the weekend. "We knew before the season we would be extremely young, and add to that the fact we played every single game on the road, the fact we enjoyed a winning season is truly a positive," said head coach Mike Ott. "I feel like we have a good nucleus coming back next year, but for the time being I think we have the ability to compete with any team when we play up to our potential and we will look forward to the chance on Saturday." HC will now face off with Unity Christian in the semi-finals of the District at Hamilton High School. The Maroons will take on the Crusaders at 12:30 p.m. looking for their first District Title since 2006 (when they advanced to the Quarterfinals).
Friday, May 29
HC Forfeits Postseason Play
The Holland Christian baseball team won’t play for a Division 2
district baseball championship Saturday. The Maroons forfeited their
game against Hudsonville Unity Christian because they exceeded the
Michigan High School Athletic Association rules for dates and games
played in a single season. Fifty-six are allowed, and Holland
Christian has 57, Holland Christian Athletic Director Tim Schoonveld
said. “It is very unfortunate that we are in this position and we are
extremely disappointed for our players, coaches and school,” Schoonveld
said. “We are doing all we can to support them and to make sure this
situation does not happen in the future. We accept the consequences
and now must learn from this and move forward.” The schedule for the
Hamilton district has been changed. "I just feel horrible for the guys
because this was a mistake but one we had to own up to with integrity.
My heart just breaks for them," said head coach Mike Ott. Hamilton
will play Zeeland East at 10 a.m. Saturday. The winner will advance to
face Unity Christian in the title game 30 minutes after the semifinal
is concluded. Holland Christian ends their season with a record of 18-16.
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