By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East baseball team had an eventful week last week, sweeping a three-game series from rival Zeeland West, then winning both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday to give coach Matt Sattler his 300th career coaching victory.
Sattler reached his milestone as the Chix swept a twinbill from Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, 5-1 and 3-0.
In the first game against Covenant Christian, Eli Nienhuis tossed a five-hitter and did not allow an earned run to pick up the victory, while Max Mulder and Caleb Hunderman each drove in two runs.
In the second game, Hunderman and Quincy Thome combined for a two-hit shutout. Hunderman struck out six over the first four innings, while Thome fanned five for a three-inning save. Thome also scored a pair of runs on offense.
The sweep raised East’s overall record to 15-5. Earlier in the week, the Chix took the first two games of the three-game series with Zeeland West on April 29, 9-3 and 6-3, then completed the series sweep last Friday with a 13-10 come-from-behind win.
In the win Friday, East had to battle back from an early 5-1 deficit. The Chix opened the scoring on an RBI single by Max Mulder in the top of the first. West came back in the bottom half of the frame, stringing together three hits, two walks and a pair of East errors to score five runs.
Jace Pyper hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Logan Wyckoff for the first run. Lucas Smith then doubled down the left-field line to plate Jake Lencioni. Later, Jackson Keeler singled in a run, and Gabe Bouwens capped the uprising with a two-run single for a 5-1 Dux lead.
East battled back with two runs in the third on a Mulder groundout and a West error, then tied the game with two more runs in the top of the fourth. West scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, but then the Chix took their first lead at 7-6 with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. The Dux responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead, but East scored twice again in the six to knot the score at 9-9.
Finally, East put together a four-run outburst in the seventh and held on for the win.
The teams combined for 29 hits – 16 for East and 13 for West. Nienhuis led the Chix offense, driving in three runs with a double and single, while Ryan Kuzma knocked in two runs with a double and single. The top two hitters in the Chix order, Thome and Cam Jaworowski, each had three hits. Derek Baxter added an RBI triple.
Jailen Nesbit picked up the win in relief for East, allowing just one run over the final two innings.
In the opener of the April 29 doubleheader, West took advantage of East errors early, scoring three unearned runs to take a 3-1 lead. After that, though, Mulder shut down the West bats, tossing a complete-game three-hitter and striking out seven.
East scored eight unanswered runs to claim the win, with the big blow being a bases-clearing double by Peyton Davis that drove in three. Mulder and Jaworowski each had a pair of hits for the Chix in the win.
In the second game, Thome led East with three hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs and stole two bases. Hunderman had two hits and an RBI while Mason Raade tripled in a run.
Baxter went the first six innings for the win, scattering five hits, striking out seven and walking just one. Gavin Weighmink nailed down the save by getting the final three outs.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East baseball team had an eventful week last week, sweeping a three-game series from rival Zeeland West, then winning both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday to give coach Matt Sattler his 300th career coaching victory.
Sattler reached his milestone as the Chix swept a twinbill from Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, 5-1 and 3-0.
In the first game against Covenant Christian, Eli Nienhuis tossed a five-hitter and did not allow an earned run to pick up the victory, while Max Mulder and Caleb Hunderman each drove in two runs.
In the second game, Hunderman and Quincy Thome combined for a two-hit shutout. Hunderman struck out six over the first four innings, while Thome fanned five for a three-inning save. Thome also scored a pair of runs on offense.
The sweep raised East’s overall record to 15-5. Earlier in the week, the Chix took the first two games of the three-game series with Zeeland West on April 29, 9-3 and 6-3, then completed the series sweep last Friday with a 13-10 come-from-behind win.
In the win Friday, East had to battle back from an early 5-1 deficit. The Chix opened the scoring on an RBI single by Max Mulder in the top of the first. West came back in the bottom half of the frame, stringing together three hits, two walks and a pair of East errors to score five runs.
Jace Pyper hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Logan Wyckoff for the first run. Lucas Smith then doubled down the left-field line to plate Jake Lencioni. Later, Jackson Keeler singled in a run, and Gabe Bouwens capped the uprising with a two-run single for a 5-1 Dux lead.
East battled back with two runs in the third on a Mulder groundout and a West error, then tied the game with two more runs in the top of the fourth. West scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, but then the Chix took their first lead at 7-6 with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. The Dux responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead, but East scored twice again in the six to knot the score at 9-9.
Finally, East put together a four-run outburst in the seventh and held on for the win.
The teams combined for 29 hits – 16 for East and 13 for West. Nienhuis led the Chix offense, driving in three runs with a double and single, while Ryan Kuzma knocked in two runs with a double and single. The top two hitters in the Chix order, Thome and Cam Jaworowski, each had three hits. Derek Baxter added an RBI triple.
Jailen Nesbit picked up the win in relief for East, allowing just one run over the final two innings.
In the opener of the April 29 doubleheader, West took advantage of East errors early, scoring three unearned runs to take a 3-1 lead. After that, though, Mulder shut down the West bats, tossing a complete-game three-hitter and striking out seven.
East scored eight unanswered runs to claim the win, with the big blow being a bases-clearing double by Peyton Davis that drove in three. Mulder and Jaworowski each had a pair of hits for the Chix in the win.
In the second game, Thome led East with three hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs and stole two bases. Hunderman had two hits and an RBI while Mason Raade tripled in a run.
Baxter went the first six innings for the win, scattering five hits, striking out seven and walking just one. Gavin Weighmink nailed down the save by getting the final three outs.
Dux Sweep Chix in Softball; Meyering Sets HR Record
Zeeland East senior Emme Meyering holds the softball with which she belted her record-setting 25th career home run April 29 against Zeeland West. She broke the previous school record of 24 that had been held by 2023 East graduate Katie Carlson. Meyering homered in both ends of the doubleheader with the Dux, but West took both games.
Photo courtesy Tarrah Meyering
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The varsity softball doubleheader between Zeeland West and Zeeland East April 29 produced all kinds of offensive fireworks.
The two teams combined for 48 runs and 52 hits, and history was made during the twinbill. West swept the doubleheader by scores of 13-6 and 20-9 to move over the .500 mark on the season at 8-6.
Meanwhile, East senior Emme Meyering broke the school record for career home runs by slamming a homer in each game, giving her 25 for her career. Meyering broke the record previously held by Katie Carlson, who hit 24 homers before she graduated from East in 2023.
West wasted no time in cranking up its offense in the opener, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning off East pitcher Kaylee Redder. Megan Strabbing singled in one run, Jenna Hendricks knocked in another with a fielder’s choice, Kylie Glass delivered an RBI single, a Chix error resulted in two runs scoring and Sadie Kragt doubled in the final run of the inning.
East responded with three runs in the bottom of the first against Sadie Kragt. Meyering delivered the big blow of the inning, driving a Kragt pitch toward right-center field, and the strong breeze carried the ball well over the fence for a two-run homer to tie the career home run record.
West continued to build on the lead, adding a run in the second on a Bri Kamer RBI single, then added three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh. Maddi Veersma went yard in the fifth, driving a Redder pitch over the center field fence for a home run.
West outhit East 14-10, with Strabbing going 3-for-4. Hendricks and Glass each knocked in three runs. Veersma had two hits, including her home run, and stole three bases.
Sadie Kragt gained the pitching win for the Dux, striking out 10. She did not walk a batter. She scattered 10 hits and allowed three earned runs.
In game two, it was East’s turn to jump in front early. Meyering delivered a run-scoring double and Jordynn Berens an RBI single in the top of the first as the Chix grabbed a 2-0 lead. West came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on an Emily Kragt groundout and a Strabbing sacrifice fly.
The Dux then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Veersma’s second homer of the day, a two-run shot, to take a 7-2 lead.
But back came East, reeling off seven unanswered runs – three in the third and four in the fourth. Once again Meyering was in the center of the rally, crushing a three-run homer over the center field fence, her seventh of the season and her record-setting 25th career homer, and the Chix were back in front, 9-7.
“It’s an awesome milestone, and I’m really grateful for all the support from my coaches, teammates, family and community,” Meyering wrote in a text message about breaking the record. “I’m also excited to keep improving and helping my team however I can.”
Meyering would finish the doubleheader 4-for-6 with 12 total bases (two homers and two doubles), scoring five runs and driving in six.
West stormed back in a big way in the fifth, not only taking the lead but eventually going on to win by the 10-run rule. The Dux scored 13 runs on 10 hits in the inning, including a pair of RBI singles by Veersma and a two-run single by Madison Wyckoff, to clinch the sweep.
West pounded out 19 hits in the nightcap while East had nine. Veersma led the Dux offense with three hits and four RBIs. Emily Kragt and Hendricks also had three hits apiece while four other Dux had two hits apiece.
Wyckoff picked up the pitching win in relief, striking out six over three innings of work. Leah Keur took the loss for East.
Zeeland Record
The varsity softball doubleheader between Zeeland West and Zeeland East April 29 produced all kinds of offensive fireworks.
The two teams combined for 48 runs and 52 hits, and history was made during the twinbill. West swept the doubleheader by scores of 13-6 and 20-9 to move over the .500 mark on the season at 8-6.
Meanwhile, East senior Emme Meyering broke the school record for career home runs by slamming a homer in each game, giving her 25 for her career. Meyering broke the record previously held by Katie Carlson, who hit 24 homers before she graduated from East in 2023.
West wasted no time in cranking up its offense in the opener, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning off East pitcher Kaylee Redder. Megan Strabbing singled in one run, Jenna Hendricks knocked in another with a fielder’s choice, Kylie Glass delivered an RBI single, a Chix error resulted in two runs scoring and Sadie Kragt doubled in the final run of the inning.
East responded with three runs in the bottom of the first against Sadie Kragt. Meyering delivered the big blow of the inning, driving a Kragt pitch toward right-center field, and the strong breeze carried the ball well over the fence for a two-run homer to tie the career home run record.
West continued to build on the lead, adding a run in the second on a Bri Kamer RBI single, then added three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh. Maddi Veersma went yard in the fifth, driving a Redder pitch over the center field fence for a home run.
West outhit East 14-10, with Strabbing going 3-for-4. Hendricks and Glass each knocked in three runs. Veersma had two hits, including her home run, and stole three bases.
Sadie Kragt gained the pitching win for the Dux, striking out 10. She did not walk a batter. She scattered 10 hits and allowed three earned runs.
In game two, it was East’s turn to jump in front early. Meyering delivered a run-scoring double and Jordynn Berens an RBI single in the top of the first as the Chix grabbed a 2-0 lead. West came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on an Emily Kragt groundout and a Strabbing sacrifice fly.
The Dux then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Veersma’s second homer of the day, a two-run shot, to take a 7-2 lead.
But back came East, reeling off seven unanswered runs – three in the third and four in the fourth. Once again Meyering was in the center of the rally, crushing a three-run homer over the center field fence, her seventh of the season and her record-setting 25th career homer, and the Chix were back in front, 9-7.
“It’s an awesome milestone, and I’m really grateful for all the support from my coaches, teammates, family and community,” Meyering wrote in a text message about breaking the record. “I’m also excited to keep improving and helping my team however I can.”
Meyering would finish the doubleheader 4-for-6 with 12 total bases (two homers and two doubles), scoring five runs and driving in six.
West stormed back in a big way in the fifth, not only taking the lead but eventually going on to win by the 10-run rule. The Dux scored 13 runs on 10 hits in the inning, including a pair of RBI singles by Veersma and a two-run single by Madison Wyckoff, to clinch the sweep.
West pounded out 19 hits in the nightcap while East had nine. Veersma led the Dux offense with three hits and four RBIs. Emily Kragt and Hendricks also had three hits apiece while four other Dux had two hits apiece.
Wyckoff picked up the pitching win in relief, striking out six over three innings of work. Leah Keur took the loss for East.
On the Record . . .
East Tennis Falls to HC
The Zeeland East varsity girls tennis team suffered its first conference loss of the season April 30, falling to Holland Christian 6-2 in a battle of teams that entered the dual meet unbeaten in the O-K Black Conference.
The Maroons swept all four singles matches. The Chix got wins from the first doubles team of Keeley Boerman and Kendyll Samora, who won a three-set battle 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, and the second doubles tandem of Mahalia Vis and Elizabeth Rogovich, who improved to 16-0 for the season with a 6-4, 7-5 win.
On April 29, the Chix defeated Unity Christian 6-2, as they swept all four doubles flights. Sisters ThyAn and Trinh Kleikamp won their matches at third singles and fourth singles, respectively, in straight sets. Boerman and Samora won their first doubles flight in straight sets, as did Vis and Rogovich at second doubles, Pippa Boerman and Olivia Grotenhuis at third doubles and Natalie Veldheer and Taylor Bouws at No. 4 doubles.
West Golfers Set 18-Hole Mark
The Zeeland West varsity boys golf team set a new school record for an away 18-hole round Monday, finishing ninth at the Flint Powers Invitational with a team score of 318.
Mike Girman led the Dux with a 77, while Logan Bomers added a 78, Graham VanDort an 81 and Tyler Baumann an 82.
Meanwhile, West finished fifth and Zeeland East 11th at the Ottawa County Invitational at the Meadows Golf Course at Grand Valley State University last Friday. Bomers shot a 77 to led the Dux, while Girman added an 80, Baumann an 83 and VanDort an 86.
Scoring for the Chix at the Ottawa County Invitational were Reid Blondin, Kolton Gentry, Tanner Treacy, and Zac Hopke.
East will host the O-K Black Jamboree Friday at Winding Creek Golf Course.
East Soccer Ties HC, WO
The Zeeland East varsity girls soccer team played to two ties last week.
On Wednesday, the Chix played to their second scoreless tie with Holland Christian this season. The shutout was East’s ninth of the season.
Then on Saturday, East battled West Ottawa to a 1-1 tie.
The ties left the Chix with an overall record of 6-2-4. They have allowed only six goals all season.
ZAGS Registration Deadline Approaching
The deadline to sign up for the ZAGS competitive swim team for this summer is this Saturday.
ZAGS is a competitive swim team designed for swimmers new to competitive swimming as well as experienced swimmers who want to continue to improve their skills and gain additional competitive experience.
Practices focus on endurance and technique in all four competitive strokes, kicks, starts, and turns. The season runs approximately eight weeks and includes both practices and meets.
Early practices (May 27-June 6) will be held at the Zeeland West pool Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Starting June 9 and continuing through the middle of July, practices will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. for 6-to-8-year-olds; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for swimmers age 9 to 10 and 9:30 to 11 a.m. for those 11 to 14 years of age.
You can register online through Zeeland Recreation at mizeelandweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web.
The Zeeland East varsity girls tennis team suffered its first conference loss of the season April 30, falling to Holland Christian 6-2 in a battle of teams that entered the dual meet unbeaten in the O-K Black Conference.
The Maroons swept all four singles matches. The Chix got wins from the first doubles team of Keeley Boerman and Kendyll Samora, who won a three-set battle 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, and the second doubles tandem of Mahalia Vis and Elizabeth Rogovich, who improved to 16-0 for the season with a 6-4, 7-5 win.
On April 29, the Chix defeated Unity Christian 6-2, as they swept all four doubles flights. Sisters ThyAn and Trinh Kleikamp won their matches at third singles and fourth singles, respectively, in straight sets. Boerman and Samora won their first doubles flight in straight sets, as did Vis and Rogovich at second doubles, Pippa Boerman and Olivia Grotenhuis at third doubles and Natalie Veldheer and Taylor Bouws at No. 4 doubles.
West Golfers Set 18-Hole Mark
The Zeeland West varsity boys golf team set a new school record for an away 18-hole round Monday, finishing ninth at the Flint Powers Invitational with a team score of 318.
Mike Girman led the Dux with a 77, while Logan Bomers added a 78, Graham VanDort an 81 and Tyler Baumann an 82.
Meanwhile, West finished fifth and Zeeland East 11th at the Ottawa County Invitational at the Meadows Golf Course at Grand Valley State University last Friday. Bomers shot a 77 to led the Dux, while Girman added an 80, Baumann an 83 and VanDort an 86.
Scoring for the Chix at the Ottawa County Invitational were Reid Blondin, Kolton Gentry, Tanner Treacy, and Zac Hopke.
East will host the O-K Black Jamboree Friday at Winding Creek Golf Course.
East Soccer Ties HC, WO
The Zeeland East varsity girls soccer team played to two ties last week.
On Wednesday, the Chix played to their second scoreless tie with Holland Christian this season. The shutout was East’s ninth of the season.
Then on Saturday, East battled West Ottawa to a 1-1 tie.
The ties left the Chix with an overall record of 6-2-4. They have allowed only six goals all season.
ZAGS Registration Deadline Approaching
The deadline to sign up for the ZAGS competitive swim team for this summer is this Saturday.
ZAGS is a competitive swim team designed for swimmers new to competitive swimming as well as experienced swimmers who want to continue to improve their skills and gain additional competitive experience.
Practices focus on endurance and technique in all four competitive strokes, kicks, starts, and turns. The season runs approximately eight weeks and includes both practices and meets.
Early practices (May 27-June 6) will be held at the Zeeland West pool Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Starting June 9 and continuing through the middle of July, practices will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. for 6-to-8-year-olds; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for swimmers age 9 to 10 and 9:30 to 11 a.m. for those 11 to 14 years of age.
You can register online through Zeeland Recreation at mizeelandweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web.
