Annual alumni game Friday

May 25, 2011

HAMILTON, Mich. — The annual alumni game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday at the varsity field.

All Hamilton baseball alumni are invited to participant in the yearly tradition, which pits the varsity Hawkeyes against their graduated counterparts in a single nine-inning game.

Walkoff homer helps clinch O-K Green title

May 24, 2011

HAMILTON, Mich. — There was no better time for Hamilton senior Ben Baker’s first career home run than Monday afternoon against rival Holland Christian.

With a share of the O-K Green conference championship on the line and his team trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Hawkeyes’ third baseman blasted a walkoff, two-run home run to deep right-center field to hand Hamilton a 3-2 victory.

The Hawkeyes (20-6 overall, 12-1 O-K Green) captured game two of the doubleheader, 5-4, to take home the outright O-K Green conference championship.

GAME ONE
Hamilton 3, Holland Christian 2

Baker provided the late-inning fireworks, but Nate White (9-0) was brilliant while limiting a potent Holland Christian offense to only two runs on three hits.

The senior left-hander recorded 12 strikeouts and walked only three Maroons.

Senior shortstop R.J. Flowers singled to lead of the bottom of the eighth inning with Hamilton behind 2-1. Baker then deposited the first pitch he saw from Holland Christian pitcher Peter Cupery over the fence for the dramatic victory.

“This was probably one of the most exciting finishes I have ever been a part of,” Hamilton coach Ken DeGood said. “This was just a great high school baseball game.”

GAME TWO
Hamilton 5, Holland Christian 4

The Hawkeyes came from behind once again in game two, courtesy of a two-RBI single by junior Keith Phillips.

Hamilton trailed 4-2 entering the bottom half of the sixth inning, but the Hawkeyes pieced together a two-out rally after senior Adam Schreur started the inning with a single.

Junior Simeon VanHeest reached on an error, and senior Brandon Hulst was awarded first via catcher’s interference. After senior Connor Hagen recorded an infield single, Phillips singled sharply to center to score the tying and winning runs.

Baker (4-1) pitched a scoreless seventh to secure the win.

Tough Rockford Tournament yields two losses

May 21, 2011

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Hamilton dropped two games in the Rockford Tournament Saturday — a difficult match up against a field of some of the state’s largest schools.

The Hawkeyes (18-6 overall) fell 15-3 to Mount Pleasant and 13-8 to Portland.