A video tribute to the senior class of 2008
June 2, 2008
Hamilton rally falls short as season ends at district finals
May 31, 2008
HAMILTON, Mich. — When the history of the 2008 Hawkeyes is written, it will be noted that they went down with valor.
Trailing Unity Christian 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth in the district championship game, the Hawkeyes rallied to a 9-6 deficit with the tying run at the plate with two outs in the seventh. One strike out later, the Crusaders of Unity Christian became district #46 champions. Behind the strong performance of pitcher Kody VanKoevering, Unity kept the Hawkeyes bats silent for the majority of the game.
Tyler Hulst was 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI for the Hawkeyes. Jason Henrickson added an RBI double for the Hawkeyes, who finish their season at 19-9. Bryan Zoet and Rob Arnold also added base hits for the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes used a three-headed monster of senior pitchers Jeffrey Dekker, Clark Becksford and Tyler Hulst to try and limit Unity’s run production.
Playing their final game in the black and gold were seniors Clark Becksford, Tyler Buresh, Ryan Dannenberg, Jeffrey Dekker, Tyler Hulst, Nate Joostberns and Bryan Zoet. These seniors leave high school but will always be among the greatest of senior classes in Hamilton Baseball history.
DISTRICT SEMIFINAL
The Hawkeyes started Saturday off in grand fashion as they jumped all over Zeeland West in route to a 14-2 win in six innings. The Hawkeyes had a season-high 15 hits as they got revenge for a 4-3 loss to the Dux earlier this month. Hamilton scored 10 runs in the first three innings to seal the fate of the Dux.
Getting the pitching win was sophomore Evan Mudd, who went the distance throwing a four hitter. He struck out six and walked two. Both of Zeeland West’s runs were unearned.
Offensively, Bryan Zoet led a star-studded cast of Hamilton hitters. Zoet reached base all five times up to the plate and scored five runs. He hit a double and a triple with a stolen base and two RBI. Senior Ryan Dannenberg was 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and 2 RBI. Rob Arnold had 3 RBI on two hits for the victorious Hawkeyes. Contributing hits were Corey Schrotenboer, Jason Henrickson, Tyler Hulst, Nate Joostberns and Jeffrey Dekker.
The win propelled the Hawkeyes into the district championship for the second straight season.
Hawkeyes roll to 8-1 win on senior day
May 28, 2008
HAMILTON, Mich. — Saugatuck has a very potent offensive baseball team. After one inning, the host Hawkeyes had already witnessed the Indians power as it took a 1-2-3 double play to get out of an opening inning jam. From there, the Hawkeyes offense took control as Hamilton defeated the Indians 8-1.
Hamilton, which ran their record to 18-8, pitched seven pitchers in seven innings. Jeffrey Dekker, Carter DeBoe, Clark Becksford, Jason Henrickson, Evan Mudd, Alex Tenckinck and Tyler Hulst combined to hold Saugatuck to 6 hits. DeBoe (2-2) got the win in the regular season finale.
Offensively, senior Jeffrey Dekker made sure that the Hawkeyes would run their win streak to seven. Dekker was 2 for 2 with a double and 5 RBI. He also added a stolen base. Bryan Zoet and Eric Melton each added a double. Seniors Ryan Dannenberg and Tyler Buresh each added a single to round out the offense attack.
The Hawkeyes will now set their sight on repeating as district champions. The Hawkeyes will play the Zeeland West Dux in Saturday’s second semifinal at 12:30 p.m. at the varsity field. West beat the Hawkeyes 4-3 earlier this season.
SENIOR DAY PICTURES
