High school sports rewind: Zeeland West softball sweeps Muskegon
The Zeeland West softball team got off to a hot start Tuesday, sweeping Muskegon in a doubleheader.
In the first game the Dux came away with a 15-0 win as Emily Brands tossed a shutout. On the offensive side, Emily Kragt, Izzy Zamora, Alexa Brott, Bands and Avery Vugtaveen all notched multiple hits on the afternoon.
The second game was even more impressive, with the Dux winning 20-0. Brott threw a perfect three-inning long game to complete the sweep for the Dux over the Muskegon Lady Reds. She struck out all nine batters in the process.
"Alexa looked good in her season opener and the bats were there to support her," said coach Scott Silva. "We are proud the girls came to compete tonight and look forward to them improving every day"
Junior Carly Sleeman led the Dux offense going 4-for-4 with three singles and a triple. Senior Taylor Zwagerman, Brott, Zamora and freshman Maddie Wyckoff each had multiple hits. Brands, Sophomore Makena Moungkhoun, and Freshmen Emily Kraght and Maddie Veersma each collected a hit in the victory.
Dux improved to 2-0 on the season and 2-0 in the OK Green Conference.
SOFTBALL
Zeeland East sweeps Holland
Zeeland East had a big fifth inning scoring eight runs to put the Dutch on their heels. The Chix never looked back after that, earning a 19-6 win in game one of the doubleheader . Riley Gruppen, Ella Hathaway, Reese Gruppen, Jaiden Lee, and Ali Holman, all knocking in runs in the inning.
Katie Carlson took the win for Zeeland East. Carlson went four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out four. Gruppen threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
The Chix defense was solid and didn't commit a single error in the field.
In the second game, East continued the hot hitting winning 14-6.
The Chix managed through a push by Holland in the second inning where Zeeland East gave up five runs, the big inning for Holland came thanks to a walk by Emily Telgenhof, a single by Ashley Duff, and a double by Amaris Russell.
Bats blistered as Zeeland East collected nine hits and Holland tallied five in the high-scoring game.
The Chix got on the board in the first inning. Jaiden Lee's sac fly scored one run for Zeeland East.
Gruppen pitched Zeeland East to victory. The pitcher surrendered five runs on two hits over one and two-thirds innings, striking out five. Katie Carlson threw four and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Holly Byrd took the loss for Holland. The pitcher went two-thirds of an inning, allowing six runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one.
Zeeland East tallied nine hits in the game. Jaiden Lee, Ali Holman, and Katie Carlson all managed multiple hits for the Chix. Emme Meyering led the Chix with four stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with nine stolen bases.
Hamilton splits doubleheader with Unity Christian
The Hawkeyes got the season rolling in the right direction Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Unity Christian. Junior Madie Jamrog earned the win in the circle tossing all seven innings and giving up just one run on five hits. She struck out 10 batters.
Raya VanderZwaag was the highlight on offense. She went 3 for 4 and added an RBI. Kianna Vork went 2 for 3 and crossed the plate.
In the second game they weren't as fortunate, falling 5-1. Jamrog tossed 5.1 frames of that game as well, but Unity caught on to her stuff. She gave up three earned runs on five hits to the defending regional champions.
"I knew starting the season with defending league and regional champion Unity Christian would be a big test," said Hamilton coach Mark Behnke. "We staged a seventh-inning rally to win game one. Give Unity Christian credit in game two. They stayed composed and made the plays you have to make to win. We will take advantage of the next two days and be in action Friday in Hopkins."
Maroons swept by Spring Lake
Holland Christian lost 9-3 and 12-2 to Spring Lake.
Kierea Smits took the loss with 11 strikeouts and one walk and gave up nine hits.
In the second game, Kristen Sybesma took the loss with two strikeouts and three walks and gave up 11 hits.
BASEBALL
Zeeland East 2, Holland 1
The Dutch lost a hard-fought game in 10 innings against the Zeeland East Chix on Tuesday. After scoring one run in the first, they were held scoreless for the rest of the game.
Andon Grigg and Sean Ruhf split the game on the mound, going 5 innings each and striking out 9 while holding the Chix to only 6 hits and 1 run until the top of the 10th when a two-out rally in the 10th scored them the go-ahead run. Grigg also picked up the lone RBI of the game for the Dutch in the 1st inning, driving in Carson Van Hekken who reached on an error. Carson, Jackson Van Hekken, and Ryan Duff added hits to the total as well.
Game two was suspended due to darkness, with the Chix leading 6-3 in the bottom of the second inning. It will be resumed on Thursday, April 14 when the Dutch visit the Chix to finish the conference series.
Fennville 14, Gobles 2
The Fennville Blackhawks easily dispatched Gobles Tigers Varsity 14-2 on Tuesday
Fennville got on the board in the first inning when Albert Camberos grounded out, scoring one run.
The Blackhawks tallied five runs in the seventh inning. The big inning was thanks to walks by Camberos and Ben Onken and a triple by Ben Peterson.
Peterson was the winning pitcher for Fennville. Peterson allowed one hit and two runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out 13. Tre Cooper threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Nick Lopez took the loss for Gobles Tigers Varsity. The pitcher lasted three innings, allowing three hits and five runs while striking out eight. Fennville collected seven hits on the day. Cooper and Peterson each had multiple hits for the Blackhawks.
GIRLS SOCCER
Zeeland West 8, Muskegon 0
The Dux soccer team dominated their first match after spring break, using a balanced attack against the Muskegon Big Reds Tuesday night. The Dux won 8-0. Abby Winn opened the scoring in the 10th minute off of a beautiful feed from Amely Molina. A pair of Izzy's gave the Dux a 3-0 less than 10 minutes later. Isabella Cifuentes buried a nice pass from Marissa Ybarra. Within 5 minutes, Abby Winn found Izzy Schoenberg in front of the net, who fired a shot into the upper corner. With 8 minutes to go in the half, Winn intercepted an outlet pass, dribbled through two defenders and slotted a ball making it 4-0. Just before the half, Zoe Grant made her 2022 debut with a goal off of an Anna Miller assist, and Amely Molina used some nifty footwork to earn the final goal of the half, making it 6-0 heading into the break.
"We were a bit sluggish and selfish at times in the first half, and had some difficulty initially playing with pace and decisiveness. However, we recovered nicely and slowly grew into the first half," said coach Benjamin Hondorp. "At times in the first half, we played well and were connecting passes and moving well off of the ball in anticipation. But we also had long stretches where we were indecisive and passive. But it was good to get back on the field after nearly two weeks off."
At the start of the second half, the Dux picked up the intensity and put the Big Reds on their heels almost immediately. Less than 5 minutes into the 2nd half, Abby Gruppen found herself in a 1 on 1 on the outside near the end line. After beating her defender, she lofted a perfectly placed cross that found the head of Alayna Ruch on top of the 6-yard box. Ruch's one-time header ended up being the goal of the match, as the Dux sideline erupted in celebration. Less than 10 minutes later, Zoe Grant ended the match by finishing a one-time shot off of a cross from Kayla Bosch.
Grace Caywood and Samarah Arendsen combined in goal for the shutout, facing 0 shots - due in large part to the defensive efforts of Anna Girman, Riley Terpstra, Jordyn Klaasen, Tia Martinez and Ally Yonker.
The Dux improve to 2-0 on the year, and are 1-0 in the OK Green. They travel to Mona Shores on Thursday to take on the Sailors.
Black River 2, Lee 1
Harper Gerow scored both goals for BR. Olivia Hayes had an assist off a punt and made seven saves in goal.
Saugatuck 7, Constantine 0
The Trailblazers earned an easy win on Wednesday evening in their SAC conference opener. Kennedy Gustafson, Erin Moerler, and Jenn Schock each scored twice, with Emma DeBoer adding another to round out the scoring.
Adele Nieuwsma helped out with two assists, with Iris Kuipers, Schock, and Moerler each adding one apiece. Grace Greenwood and Dayna Crough combined on the shutout in net. Saugatuck improves to 3-1 on the season and is 1-0 in the SAC.
BOYS LACROSSE
West Ottawa 16, Grand Rapids Christian 3
Cole Tulgetske had eight points on two goals and six assists. Trent Mulder scored six goals and Cooper Nienhuis had four. Liam Kaylor added two goals for WO. Caden Adkins had 11 ground balls and a goal of his own. Levi Henning had four ground balls and an assist. Owen Armstrong scooped up four GBs and Julian Chavez had three.
Holland Chrisitan 10, Vicksburg 9
Holland Christian used a balanced attack on offense and key stops on defense to beat a tough Vicksburg team. Holland Christian was led by Andrew Chesser with four goals and Ben Nelson with three goals and an assist. Freshman Keaton Melcher made multiple key saves late in the game to help seal the win for the Maroons.
BOYS GOLF
Holland Christian finishes second, Hamilton finishes fourth at OK Blue Jamboree
Holland Christian's boys golf team finished second in the 1st OK Blue Conference Jamboree held at the Mines Golf Course today. Spring Lake shot 164 to win the Jamboree, HC shot 166 and Unity Christian shot 170 to finish third.
The Maroons were led by Cade VandenBosch, who fired a one-over par round of 36. Junior Adam Kroeze came in clutch with a 41, Max Van Vliet shot a 43 and Isaiah Geerlings and Michael Pierce each shot 46s.
The Hawkeyes took fourth in the eight-team competition with a team score of 172. Ben Boehm led the Hawkeyes with a 38 good for third individually. The Hawkeyes also scored contributions from Eli Timmerman 39 good for sixth and Riley Johr’s 42 for 10th.
Zeeland East finishes fourth, Holland earns 5th at OK Green Jamboree
On Wednesday the Chix played on the rain-soaked Crestview Golf Course and placed 4th with a score of 181. The team was led by Jack Anderson with a 43, also scoring for the Chix with 46s were Gabe Jarvis, Jake Middleton and Brady Nykamp.
The Holland boys golf team traveled to Crestview Golf Club as well to compete in their first conference jamboree. Leading the Dutch was senior Chandler DeWitt, shooting a low of 45. Following him in scores were Oscar and Tennessee Miller (46,52). In addition to the scoring for Holland, Breckin Bigelow scored his season-best (56) Finishing the round for Holland, Sam Payne (56) and Lucas VanderPloeg (57).
TRACK
Saugatuck sweeps Fennville
The Saugatuck track and field team swept Fennville on Tuesday with the girls winning 104-31 and the boys winning 108-25.
In the girls meet, Saugatuck's Mazie Robison won the 100 meters (13.53) and high jump (4-6). Alayah Nieuwsma won the 400 (1:14.33). Samantha Sixberry won the 800 (3:03.37) and the 1,600 (6:18.94) and the 3,200 (14:48.01). Aerin Baker won the 100 hurdles (21.22), 300 hurdles (59.57) and the long jump (14-5 1/2). Anna DeYoung won the shot put (26-6 1/2). Catherine Pond won the discus (89-1).
Fennville's Carmen Tencate won the 200 (28.12).
In the boys meet, Benny Diaz won the 100 meters (11.33), the 400 (56.6), the 110 hurdles (14.38). Kurtis Bronz won the 200 (23.98). Adam Martinson won the 800 (2:22.09) and the 3,200 (11:26.21). Tristan Ashley won the 1,600 (5:04.69). Will Ayers won the 300 hurdles (47.96). Cayden Schrekengust won the discus (90-4). John Roberts won the high jump (5-10).
Fennville's John Gardea won the shot put (41-3). Carter Mokma won the long jump (17-6 1/2).
—Contact Assistant Sports Editor Will Kennedy at Will.Kennedy@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByWillKennedy and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: High school sports rewind: Zeeland West high school softball sweeps Muskegon
