A beautiful, partly cloudy, partly sunny, partly rainy, partly downpour day for the last doubleheader of the season for the freshman Eagles. The Eagles played some of their best baseball in Game 1, but the Lowell Red Arrows hit their target, walking off in the 5th inning, 4-3. On the mound, John Bakker pitched another masterpiece. Through four innings, he threw 55 pitches, which was incredible efficiency. Bakker heaved six strikeouts and let up no earned runs.  At the plate, the Eagles had five hits and scored four runs. Ben DeYoung and Bakker both hit doubles and DeYoung added a single. Tyler Stinton also reached base twice and scored both times. Stinton, Parker DeHoek, and Jake Koetje each stole a base, as well.

Game 2's start was a little rushed because of some impending weather, but the Eagles scarfed their cupcakes and strawberries and hustled out to hit. Unlike Game 1, the Eagles struggled at the plate, as the Red Arrows showed a lot of accuracy, winning 13-0. On the mound, Ben DeYoung started and the duo of Jacob Mersman and Sam Vander Sloot finished up the game. Both Mersman and Vander Sloot logged their first high school pitching appearance.  At the plate, John Bakker stole a base after a single.

GAME 1: The bats finally came back to life against Greenville. The Eagles accumulated nine hits, two from Parker Van Hill and two from Mark Van Hekken. A very well-played game as a whole, the Eagles pulled out on top 4-3 after a delicately-placed, walk-off squeeze bunt from Jacob Rodenhouse. Call these Eagles the 1990s Atlanta Braves because these freshmen have had some masterful pitching performances lately. Game 1 starter John Bakker only gave up two hits, two walks, and no earned runs in over four innings pitched.  Oh, yeah -- and struck out 10 Yellow Jacket batters... Parker DeHoek came on in relief in the 5th inning, facing three batters in an efficient 10 pitches. The Bakker/DeHoek combination threw 63.5% strikes.    GAME 2: In Game 2 against Greenville, the freshman Eagles baseball team accumulated another nine-hit performance. After a rough 1st inning defensively, the Eagles smoothed their ruffled feathers, scoring seven runs in the last two innings of play. Even after the valiant comeback, the Yellow Jackets stung the Eagles, 10-9. Another Eagle joined the iHop 2x2x2 Club: John Bakker. Pitching excellently in Game 1, he used his bat in Game 2, with two hits, two RBI, and scoring two runs himself. Going toe-to-toe with Bakker was Levi DuShane, who also had two hits, but had three RBI. Also contributing were Ben DeBoer's clutch single between short and third base, Ben DeYoung's two runs AND a beautiful double-play outfield assist, and Tyler Stinton's two-out, pinch-hit single in the bottom of the 5th inning (bringing his batting average above .400 on the season).  Only three earned runs combined for Jack Micus and DeHoek on the mound. Micus started the game, striking out six Yellow Jackets in three innings of work and DeHoek finished the last two.      NEXT WEEK: Tuesday - DH vs. FHN is cancelled (stay tuned for replacement game) Thursday - DH @ Lowell 4:15pm and 6:00pm

The FHC Rangers pitching staff lulled our freshman Eagles to sleep in Game 1. They held the Eagles to two hits and no runs, leading to an 8-0 Rangers victory. The hits came by a single by Jake Koetje and a double by Ben DeYoung. These two also held the Rangers hitters to only six hits and three earned runs on the mound. DeYoung shone brightly, nearly going the full five innings in less than 70 pitches. The combo combined for 62% strikes. Just a remarkable pitching performance by those two.

After a stellar three-run first inning, the Eagles nested in Game 2 against Forest Hills Central, 12-3 final score with the Rangers on top. That first inning was highlighted by iron-man catcher Jack Micus, who caught all 10 innings, and starting pitcher Jake Koetje reaching base. What's so special about reaching base? you might ask. Well that's how you score, I'd say. Both players attained courtesy runners Jacob Mersman and Tyler Stinton. Both runners stole a base and scored on a Mark Van Hekken single. Koetje, John Bakker, and Stinton struck out eight Rangers and only gave up one earned run. Another great pitching performance. Adding onto that, 63% strikes thrown and 64% first-pitch strikes.   The Eagles play again on Thursday afternoon in a 5-inning Doubleheader against Greenville. Join us at 4:15pm and 6:00pm

A gorgeous, breezy, sunny day in town finally! The Eagles returned to Gainey Athletic Complex to battle against the Byron Center Bulldogs for the second time this spring. It seemed the heat was too quick of a change from the cold and windy games the boys are used to playing in. The Bulldogs bit the Eagles in Game 1, 13-1. Jack Micus created two hits by himself, a single and a triple, and scored the lone Eagle run. John Bakker ended up being the culprit for his RBI single, hitting in Micus. Additionally, Parker DeHoek stole a base. Jake Mersman and Parker Van Hill both valiantly sacrificed comfort in reaching base by hit-by-pitch. 

Game 2 started fairly quickly, as Jack Micus started on the mound for the freshman Eagles. However, completely opposite of their recent hitting performances, the Eagles struggled at the plate today. In Game 2, only one hit came up in the box score for Grand Rapids Christian: an RBI single from Sam VanderSloot, scoring Jake Koetje. Koetje stole a base to get him in proper scoring positioning for VanderSloot to rocket one through the infield. Bulldogs win again, 14-2.   Upcoming Schedule: Tuesday, May 17th doubleheader at home vs. FH Central (4:15pm and 6:00pm) Thursday, May 19th doubleheader at home vs. Greenville (4:15pm and 6:00pm)

The boys could have hit their 5-wood and 9-iron to the field as the doubleheader was played at Southern Little League. The third matchup between the Pioneers of East Grand Rapids and the Eagles of Grand Rapids Christian boosted nostalgic reminiscence of hot dogs, snow cones, and postseason pool parties. The Eagles started out hot as they had runners on base in every inning, including having the bases loaded multiple times. However, the Pioneers adventured around the bases in the 4th inning, scoring four, pulling out the exact same score as the first matchup in April, 6-4.  At the plate, Parker DeHoek and Jake Koetje both hit twice. Excellent stuff, absolutely. However, the real hitting highlight was a 297-foot, off-the-wall double from Brayden Melinn, clearing the loaded bases. This laser of a hit capped off the Eagles' four-run 1st inning.  Jack Micus made his second pitching start of the season, throwing 60% strikes and striking out three Pioneers. Tyler Stinton finished the 4th inning for Micus and also stole a bag on the basepaths. 

After the brief break, the Eagles continued to swing the sticks, in Game 2 against East Grand Rapids. In back-to-back games, the Eagles out-hit the Pioneers. The 1st inning, once again, proved exciting; between the teams there were six total runs produced. The 5th inning, however, created the most excitement. The Eagles were down two runs in the top of the inning and mustered up another comeback, tying the game up, 5-5, thanks to a pinch-hit, opposite field RBI single from John Bakker. However, the Pioneers walked it off two batters later and won, 6-5. At the plate, the Eagles were led by Jack Micus who joined the iHop 2x2x2 Combo Club, hitting two singles, hitting in two runners, and stealing two bases. Including the hit by Bakker, Ben DeYoung (who also went opposite field) and Sam Vander Sloot singled in the comeback 5th inning  Parker DeHoek started Game 2 for the Eagles. After a rough 1st, DeHoek locked it down in the 2nd, 3rd, and especially the 4th, innings. He struck out four Pioneer batters, as well. ---   Next Games: Tuesday, May 10th - doubleheader at home vs Byron Center (4:15pm and 6:00pm) Thursday, May 12th - doubleheader at FH Northern (4:15pm and 6:00pm)

Game 2 arrived just as soon as the rain did. The freshman Eagles returned to their Game-1-level playing form and continued to hit the ball excellently. Back-to-back hard-fought games. Unfortunately the rain came and washed away the hopes of a comeback, ending Game 2 early with the Bulldogs winning 11-5.  Nine different Eagles reached base and seven were by hits. Included in those hit totals were Sam Vander Sloot, Parker Van Hill, and Mark Van Hekken, who doubled. Van Hill also hit two Eagle runners in to score. Both Ben DeYoung and Parker DeHoek scored twice, as well. John Bakker started the game on the mound, striking out two Bulldog batters in three innings of work. Jake Koetje came in relief and struck out all five batters he faced before the rain came down. Both pitchers combined for 58% strikes, only four walks, and three earned runs.      Freshman Eagles' next game(s) Tuesday - Home vs. Lowell Red Arrows - 4:15pm and 6:00pm Thursday - Away @ Southern Little League vs. East Grand Rapids Pioneers - 4:15pm and 6:00pm

Yep, you guessed it, another windy, cold, and rainy day. Going up against a school 3x the student population of GRC in Grandville, the freshman Eagle baseball team were ready to play in their only Saturday game(s) of the year. It was all within reach for the Eagles, as they rallied in the top of the 5th inning, tying up the score 6-6. However, the Bulldogs pulled off a walk-off in the bottom of the 5th, 7-6. The Eagles were swinging the sticks today as Jake Koetje led the way with the iHop 2x2x2 breakfast combo: 2 hits, 2 steals, 2 runs scored. Tyler Stinton continued his hot streak going 2/3 with 2 RBI. In addition, Levi DuShane doubled and John Bakker stole two bags. Ben DeYoung started the game on the mound, going over two innings pitched and struck out three Bulldog batters. Stinton came in relief and struck out two more. Combined, these two threw 63% of their pitches as strikes! As a team, the freshman Eagles recorded their lowest error count and matched (and held) a Division 1 high school team's hit mark.

The instance the Eagles landed in Greenville, the snow began to fall. Still hovering around 40-ish degrees, the weather was, again, very unkind. However, the Eagles didn't waver and secured the victory against the Yellow Jackets, 13-9. Nine different Eagles racked up hits, and two other reached base by walk. The boys were swinging hard and running harder, hitting four team doubles, including another on from Parker Van Hill. Ben DeYoung, Ian Van Drunen, and John Bakker each batted in two Eagle runners. Behind the plate and at the plate, Jack Micus threw out two stealing Yellow Jackets and added two hits himself. Bakker started the game striking out six in three innings. DeYoung came in, threw two innings and struck out four Yellow Jackets. Finishing out the last two innings, Parker DeHoek allowed no hits. As a pitching staff, these three allowed only four hits and three earned runs.   Next game(s): 5-inning DH at Grandville HS

With a last-minute change from playing at Forest Hills Central to Gainey Athletic Complex, the freshman Eagles played with beautiful weather, but some wet conditions. The wind always a-blowin' at the field, the boys had to adjust their usual positioning and juggle the conditions and the game at play. The Rangers from FHC pulled out ahead in Game 1: 10-1. Parker Van Hill doubled down the left field line, moving a runner into scoring position and both Jack Micus and John Bakker each stole a base. Speaking of Bakker, he started the game on the mound. He gave up only two earned runs, struck out five, and pitched a little over three innings.

Game 2 started on time with a few less puddles. The freshman Eagles team seems to have an arch-nemesis after six games played: the second inning of the second game. Forest Hills Central 20, Grand Rapids Christian 5. Jake Koetje turned his frown upside down at the plate in Game 2 hitting two doubles in the gaps. Ben DeYoung scored two out of the five runs scored for the Eagles. Also making large contributions at the plate were Jacob Mersman and Tyler Stinton, as both reached base with singles. Stinton also hit in a run. After substituting in, Parker DeHoek hit a line drive single and then stole second.  On the mound, DeYoung started the game. In relief, Koetje threw 68% first-pitch strikes and ended up striking out three Rangers in only two innings. As a whole, DeYoung, Koetje, and DeHoek only gave up three earned runs.   Next week's games: Tuesday - 5-inning DH @ Greenville (4:15pm and 6:00pm) Saturday - 5-inning DH @ Grandville (10:00am and 11:30am)

Game 1 Wow, the wind was blowing! A hefty wind blowing out to right field made it difficult to track fly balls, hit the cutoff man, and keep hats on heads. Both teams' pitchers threw well, but the Bulldogs from Byron Center shut-out the freshman Eagles 8-0 in Game 1. Ben DeYoung started the game, throwing an incredibly efficient 72% first-pitch strikes. He and Jake Koetje only gave up five total Byron Center hits. Even a mid-game bat change by Parker DeHoek brought a really nice line-drive, finding a hole in the infield, but it wasn't enough for the Eagles. DeYoung even picked off a runner at 2nd base (that's 2 straight games for the Eagles picking players off 2nd base!).

Game 2 The sun came out a little bit, but the wind kept a-blowin'! More hats flew off this game than the last, I have no doubt. That cold was unforgiving in Game 2: numb hands, runny noses... and that was just the coaches! The Bulldogs took over in the 3rd inning, finishing the game 17-2 Byron Center. Early on in the game, the top of the order created some noise: Parker DeHoek walked, Jake Koetje hit a very nice single in the outfield, stole a bag, then Ben DeYoung cleared the bases with a double. A very nice play from Levi DuShane in the infield occurred when a screaming line-drive stopped in its tracks at his hand. Another John Bakker steal in the books, as well.   Next week: Tuesday at home vs. FH Northern (DH) and Thursday at FH Central (DH)

With the season opener versus Unity Christian being canceled due to inclement weather, the freshman Grand Rapids Christian Eagles squad was excited to finally pitch and hit against someone other than themselves. The game started off with a web gem from Brayden Melinn at third, who dove at a softly hit foul ball. Unfortunately, the Pioneers came out victorious in Game 1, with a final score of Grand Rapids Christian 4, East Grand Rapids 6. John Bakker started on the mound, throwing four solid innings for the Eagles, striking out five Pioneer batters, and giving up only one earned run. John was replaced by Jake Koetje, who threw an excellent 5th inning in only 14 pitches with two strikeouts. Combined, they held the Pioneers to an incredible .150 batting average against and threw 57.3% strikes. A really nice combined pitching performance by those two. At the plate, the Eagles had five hits. The boys came out swinging, consistently putting the ball into play. Parker DeHoek led the Eagle batters with two hits in three at-bats. Jack Micus added a very hard-hit single to the stat sheet. Around the bases, the Eagles had two stolen bases: one from Jacob Rodenhouse and the other from Ben DeYoung, courtesy-running for the catcher.

Tough loss in Game 1, here comes Game 2 against East Grand Rapids. After a solid two-run 1st inning for the Eagles, and a forgettable 14-run inning for the Pioneers, the Eagles rallied back, pitched well, played solid defense, and outscored their opponent 5-1 in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings. Their valiant comeback efforts weren't enough, as the Pioneers came out on top again, 15-7. Jack Micus started on the mound, 1.2 innings for the Eagles, striking out a couple, and giving up only two earned runs. Jack was replaced by Jacob Rodenhouse, who threw 1.1 solid innings, throwing 57.4% strikes, also striking out a couple Pioneers. After Jacob came Tyler Stinton for the 4th and 5th innings. In his two innings pitched, Tyler also struck out a couple Pioneers, throwing a whopping 63% strikes... all in only 22 pitches! That's excellent efficiency. To top it off, Tyler picked off a runner at second. Combined, the Eagle pitchers threw 54.6% strikes. At the plate, the Eagles outhit the Pioneers 9-8. The boys came out swinging once more, smacking five hard-hit balls. Parker Van Hill and Ben DeYoung led the Eagle batters with two hits each including a double from Ben. Levi DuShane added a very hard-hit single to the stat sheet as well. The clutch button was pressed for the Eagles as they hit .400 with runners in scoring position. Seven different Eagles got hits and seven different Eagles scored runs.    The next game(s) for the Boys Freshman Baseball team is(are) on Thursday April 14th at Byron Center High School. Hope to see you there!