Game Recaps

Bats, pitching help Hamilton topple Middleville

March 30, 2011

HAMILTON, Mich. — The remnants of a long Michigan winter has had little effect on the Hamilton baseball team’s hitting.

Despite facing temperatures that dipped into the 30s for the second straight day, the Hawkeyes put up their second double-digit run total of the season Wednesday in a 10-7 victory over former conference rival Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg.

Hamilton (2-0 overall) weathered a late comeback attempt by the Trojans. After Middleville pulled within three in the final frame and with the game-tying run at first base, junior Joey DeGood ended the game with a strikeout to earn a one-out save. It was DeGood’s first save of his young varsity career.

“I throw pretty straight, not the hardest, but I throw strikes,” DeGood said. “It took a couple extra warm ups. The ump let me because it was pretty cold out.”

Junior Keith Phillips took the mound in his first varsity start and scattered four runs on two hits in three innings of work. Senior Ben Baker (1-0) worked 3 2/3 innings in relief to earn the win.

“Today was typical of an early season game, with the cold weather,” Hamilton head coach Ken DeGood said. “The pitchers struggled a little bit to throw strikes, had to battle back, and ended up having some pitches over the middle.”

The Hawkeyes trailed only briefly before taking their cracks at the plate. Highlighted by senior right fielder Cody Buresh’s two-RBI double, the Hawkeyes scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never relinquished the lead.

Hamilton did most of their damage in the third inning against Middleville pitcher Robby Enslen. The Hawkeyes plated five runs during the inning as Hamilton received doubles from Baker and senior second baseman Brandon Hulst.

“Everybody was hitting the ball and contributing offensively,” Baker said. “Overall we did a really sweet job of hitting, even off of (Enslen), who was throwing some heat.”

Hamilton will travel to Isle of Palms, S.C. for Spring Break. The Hawkeyes are next in action April 9 in the Coldwater Tournament.

NOTES: Hamilton did not commit an error for the second straight game … Senior shortstop R.J. Flowers scored three runs … Senior center fielder Connor Hagen opened the game with a double down the left field line

Hawkeyes knock off Caledonia in opener, 13-2

March 29, 2011

HAMILTON, Mich. — The 2011 Hamilton baseball team started its season off with a bang Tuesday.

R.J. Flowers homered and drove in four runs while Nate White surrendered just one hit over four innings during a 13-2 season-opening victory against visiting Caledonia. The game, which was ended after five innings per the MHSAA mercy rule, was played at Hamilton because Caledonia’s field was deemed unplayable.

“It was a good start for us today,” Hamilton head coach Ken DeGood said. “The first game, you never know quite what you’re going to get. We haven’t gotten outside as much as what we have in the past few years.

“It was nice to see the defense for us,” DeGood added. “The pitching was okay … I think a little shaky at first, but we settled down.”

Hamilton’s bats sizzled throughout the contest despite near freezing tempatures. After Caledonia plated one run in the top of the first, the Hawkeyes went on to score at least two runs in each of the next four innings.

Following a pair of singles by senior outfielder Connor Hagen and junior first baseman Keith Phillips to open the game, Flowers smashed Caledonia’s first pitch to the base of the right field wall for a two-RBI triple.

With White on base in the third inning, the senior shortstop deposited a blast over the right-center field fence for his first home run of the season.

“I thought we hit the ball real well,” said Flowers, who finished 2-for-2 with a walk. “It was good to see some of the juniors get in and stroke the ball as well.”

White (1-0) allowed one run on one hit in four innings of work. He walked four Caledonia batters, but settled down after a shaky first inning and ended with five strikeouts. Senior Cody Buresh pitched the final frame. The Hawkeyes did not commit an error in the field.

“It’s all defense and hitting,” White said.

The Hawkeyes are back in action Wednesday at home against Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg. First pitch is slated for 4:15 p.m.

NOTES: Hagen finished 2-for-2, with two sacrifices, two runs scored and one RBI … Phillips collected his first two varsity hits, including a fourth-inning double … Senior third basemen Ben Baker knocked in three RBIs … Juniors Daniel George and Joey DeGood tallied their first varsity hits … Senior second baseman Brandon Hulst’s line drive scored Buresh in the first inning

Hamilton season ends with district championship loss to Unity, 5-4

June 5, 2010

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – The Hamilton Hawkeyes (25-5-1) flirted with a second consecutive district championship on Saturday vs. Unity Christian.  With a Unity two-run rally in the fifth inning turned fate against the Hawkeyes as Hamilton went on to lose 5-4.  The stage was set for an epic comeback in the seventh but when Andrew DeGood’s screaming line drive found the glove of a UC outfielder, the curtain closed on the 2010 Hawkeyes far too prematurely.

Offensively, Hamilton could only muster six hits in the title game.  Andrew DeGood recorded a single and a double to lead the way.  Carter DeBoe added a two-run homer and Luke Stafford also had a 2 RBI double to deep left field.  Adam Koning and Steve Durham each added singles.

Senior Evan Mudd (5-1) was saddled with the hard luck loss.  He went 4 and a third before being relieved by Alex Tenckinck.

GAME ONE

HAMILTON 14, ZEELAND EAST 4 (5 INNINGS)

The Hawkeyes wasted little time in taking a hold of the district semifinal as they plated 3 runs in the first and 6 runs in the second as they chased East starter Michael Meade from the game.  Hamilton would tally 5 more in the fifth to end the game via the 10-run mercy rule.

Senior Carter DeBoe (9-1) took the win working four and one-third innings.  DeBoe yielded six hits and four runs while striking out five and walking four.  Junior southpaw Nathaniel White worked the final two-thirds by striking out two East batters on six pitches.

Offensively, senior Adam Koning led the way with two hits and three runs scored.  Jason Henrickson added two RBI and one hit.  Senior Todd Scholten was 1for 3 with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.  Steve Durham reached base all four times us and drove in a run with a second inning RBI single.  DeBoe, Evan Mudd and Luke Stafford all added RBIs for the Hawkeyes.

Playing their final game for the Hawkeyes were Chase Martin, Andrew DeGood, Alex Tenckinck, Todd Scholten, Adam Koning, Carter DeBoe, Luke Stafford, Steve Durham, Evan Mudd and Jason Henrickson.

Please check back later this week for a Class of 2010 tribute.