May 24, 2008
HAMILTON, Mich. — “Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out… who’d have thought they’d lead back here where we need ya.”
For television fans, those lyrics are from the 1970s sitcom “Welcome Back Kotter.” For the 2008 Hawkeyes, those words couldn’t have been any truer for the many alums who returned for the annual “Alumni game” played today on the varsity field. The Hawkeyes won the game 10-8, while facing some quality collegiate pitching in Michael Dekker (’06, Hope College) and Matt Dreyer (’04, Aquinas College). It served as a nice opportunity to get some work done as the Hawkeyes head into the district tournament next weekend. The Hawkeyes are next in action this Wednesday against Saugatuck with first pitch at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday’s game will be “Senior Day” as those festivities will get underway at 4 p.m.
We want to thank the following baseball alums for coming back today:
Bart Bultman – 2005
Brad Arnold – 2007
Chris Reuschel – 2007
Chris Slagh – 2006
Cody Eding – 2007
Devin Berghorst – 2007
Eric Bussis – 2003
Ethan Hagen – 2007
Jared Schrotenboer – 2002
Jason Merkle – 2006
Karson Glass – 2005
Matt Dreyer – 2004
Matt VandeGuchte – 2005
Michael Dekker – 2006
Michael Heasley – 2007
Michael Norman – 2007
Nate VandeGuchte – 2004
Ross VanderBie – 2003
Shawn Weber – 1986
The 2008 Alumni Team.
Jared Schrotenboer ('02) checks for the signs.
Jason Merkle ('06) takes a cut.
Web site designer Cody Eding ('07) gets ready to drive one in the gap.
May 24, 2008
WYOMING, Mich. — In order to win close games, teams need good defense. Hamilton once again demonstrated their ability to play that defense as the Hawkeyes won the battle of second-place teams. Wyoming Park, who finished second in the OK-Blue, garnered more hits than the visiting Hawkeyes but playing “small ball” helped the Hawkeyes record a 5-1 victory. The victory leaves the Hawkeyes with a 17-8 record.
Senior Jeffrey Dekker (4-1) went three shutout innings allowing four hits while fanning four and walking just one batter. Seniors Clark Becksford and Tyler Hulst both contributed some solid relief innings as the Hawkeyes held a nice Wyoming Park squad to just one run.
Offensively, Hulst was 2 for 3 with a RBI triple and one run scored. Senior catcher Nate Joostberns had a RBI double. Sophomore Alex Tenckinck recorded the first hit of his varsity career. Bryan Zoet and Jason Henrickson each added a run batted in. All 19 of the Hawkeye players got into the game and did a nice job while in the lineup.
The Hawkeyes now play their annual “Alumni game” on Saturday. As for next week, the Hawkeyes look to continue to improve heading into their district game on Saturday (12:30 p.m.) against Zeeland West. Hamilton has one final game on Wednesday on “Senior Day” at home against Saugatuck. Senior Day activities will begin at 4:05 with first pitch slated for 4:15 p.m.
May 22, 2008
HAMILTON, Mich. — We would like to congratulate the senior members of the Hamilton baseball program on their high school graduation tonight. The seniors are: Tyler Hulst, Tyler Buresh, Clark Becksford, Bryan Zoet, Jeffrey Dekker, Nate Joostberns, and Ryan Dannenberg.
Seniors From left to right: Tyler Hulst, Tyler Buresh, Clark Becksford, Bryan Zoet, Jeffrey Dekker, Nate Joostberns, Ryan Dannenberg
