CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MARCH 29, 2008
Baseball Takes Two From Hope;
Softball Swept at Saint Mary's;
Women's Tennis Splits Weekend Matches;
Men's Tennis Nipped by Grand Valley State;
Track and Field Teams Post NCAA III Provisional Marks at Grand Rapids Open
BASEBALL
(written by Drew DeVries ’08)
Calvin 2, Hope 1
Calvin 4, Hope 0
GRAND RAPIDS - One day after snow covered the Calvin baseball field, sunshine
and forty degree weather dried up the field enough for Calvin to get back into
action for the first time since spring break this afternoon against Hope
College. Heading into today's twinbill, the Knights had surrendered their
previous nine games to the Flying Dutchmen over a span dating back to 2005 when
Jim Deters was still on the mound. But that changed today as Calvin jumped off
to a fast start in conference play behind two strong outings from its pitchers.
The Knights swept Hope with scores of 2-1 and 4-0.
It took a while for Calvin's offense to get going in the first game as Hope
pitcher Robby Poll retired the first ten Calvin batters. Calvin's first base
hit of the afternoon didn't come until the fourth inning when Kyle Cousins
(Holland/Holland Christian) finally mustered a single. At this point, Calvin
trailed 1-0 after Hope scored a run in the third inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Knights came alive and rallied behind a
lead off base hit from Andrew Johnson (Boise, ID/Mountain View). Matt Schepel
(Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian) later came to the plate with two outs and
belted a stand up double to left center that sent Johnson in. Kyle Fletcher
(Fort Wayne, IN/Concordia Lutheran) sent Schepel in for the go ahead run after
singling to center.
A 2-1 lead was all junior pitcher Nate Pocock (Wayland, MA/Wayland) would need
as he retired the side in the top of the seventh to collect his third win of
the season and finished the complete game. Pocock allowed only one run off four
hits and struck out three Hope batters.
For Hope, Poll suffered the loss giving up the two runs and four Calvin hits.
In the second game of today's doubleheader, Calvin got its bats going early.
The Knights put runners on the bases in each inning and were the first to get
on the scoreboard. Calvin scored one in the bottom of the second when Jacob
Vriesman (Denver, CO/Denver Christian) knocked in Jason May (Chicago/Walter
Lutheran) with a fielders choice.
The Knights got another one in the third when May executed the safety squeeze
by bunting in Schepel. Calvin got two more insurance runs in the sixth when
Pieter Groot (Uxbridge, MA/Whitinsville Christian) blasted a one run shot over
the left field foul pole. Calvin added its fourth with a Kyle Gurzynski
(Ludington/Ludington) RBI groundout that scored Johnson.
Things got interesting in the top of the seventh when Hope loaded the bases
with only one out. But Calvin head coach John Sparks left his starter, Cousins,
in the game with a chance to get the complete game shutout. Cousins got the job
done getting a groundout to home plate and then finishing the game with a
strikeout.
Cousins pitched a complete game shutout for the Knights allowing seven hits and
striking out three to collect his third win of the year. Dustin Wuis for Hope
was given the loss after giving up nine hits and four runs.
Sparks credited today's wins to solid pitching from his two startes, Pocock and
Cousins. "We had really good pitching which was the story for both games
today," said Sparks. "They were both great in getting ahead of hitters. We kind
of used the bend but not break philosophy today where we got into some tough
situations, but were able to pitch out of those jams."
Calvin was able to muster enough offense behind great defense to pick up its
two wins. Calvin's pitchers combined to give up only one run and eleven hits in
fourteen innings of play. "We had just enough offense to get these two big
wins," said Sparks. "Our guys just played great today and even though it wasn't
perfect, I'm very proud of themCalvin (10-1 overall, 2-0 MIAA) will travel to Holland, weather permitting, to
face Hope again in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 2:00 in the afternoon.
SOFTBALL
Saint Mary’s 6, Calvin 5
Saint Mary’s 5, Calvin 0
In softball action on Saturday, Calvin dropped both ends of a doubleheader at
Saint Mary's, falling 6-5 in the opener and 5-0 in the nightcap. Saturday's
twinbill marked the season opener for the Knights.
Junior Loren Scarbrough (Antioch, IL) had a pair of hits for Calvin (4-10
overall) in the opener. After trailing 4-2, Calvin tied the game up with two
runs in the top of the sixth with sophomore Whisper Miller (Reed City HS)
coming up with a key RBI single in the inning. Saint Mary’s answered with a run
in the bottom half of the inning but the Knights re-tied the game on a
sacrifice fly by freshman Michelle Vanden Berg (Grand Rapids Christian HS) that
scored junior Jenn VandenAkker (Grand Rapids Christian HS) who led off the
inning with a single, moved to second on a bunt and then stole third. The host
Belles (12-2 overall) answered back with a triple and a one-out single in the
bottom of the seventh to win the game.
Junior Kristin Folkerts (Grand Rapids Christian HS) took the loss, striking out
three and walking two.
Junior Brittany Moriarity (Muskegon Mona Shores HS) had a pair of hits for the
Knights in game two but the Knights could only must four hits overall. Saint
Mary’s scored once in the once in the first, once in the fourth and three times
in the fifth to put the game away. Folkerts and sophomore Mandy Johnson
(Northpointe Christian HS)split time in the pitching circle with Folkerts
taking the loss.
Calvin is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Tri-State in a league
twinbill at 3:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Wheaton 9, Calvin 0
Calvin 5, Olivet Nazarene 0
WHEATON, IL – Calvin split a pair of matches against nationally-ranked teams at
the Jack Swartz Invitational hosted by Wheaton College Friday and Saturday. On
Friday night, Calvin suffered a 9-0 decision to 28th-ranked (Division III)
Wheaton.
On Saturday, Calvin bounced back to defeat Olivet Nazarene 5-4. Olivet Nazarene
entered the match ranked 18th in the most recent NAIA Top 25 poll.
Against Olivet Nazarene, Calvin split the six singles points but took two of
the three doubles points to claim the victory. Picking up singles victories for
the Knights were freshman Melissa Oosterhouse (Grand Rapids Christian HS) at
No. 1 singles, freshman Kaitlin Spoelhof (Holland Christian HS) at No. 2
singles and sophomore Elisabeth Geenen (Holland Christian HS) at No. 3 singles.
Calvin also won at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles with Oosterhouse and sophomore
Rachel Strikwerda (Holland Christian HS) wining at No. 1 doubles and Spoelhof
and sophomore Jill VanVeen (Grand Rapids Christian HS) wining at No. 2 doubles.
Calvin is now 8-2 on the year and returns to action on Tuesday when it travels
to Adrian for a 3:00 p.m. conference match.
MEN’S TENNIS
Grand Valley State 5, Calvin 4
ROCKFORD – Calvin suffered its second consecutive 5-4 defeat to a
non-conference opponent, falling to Division II Grand Valley State on Saturday
afternoon at the Riverview Racquet Club. Calvin took two of the three doubles
points but Grand Valley State took four of the six singles points to pull out
the win.
Claiming singles victories for the Knights were senior Ricky Tilton (Gap, PA)
at No. 1 singles and senior Michael Goorhouse (Holland Christian HS) at No. 4
singles.
Calvin’s No. 1 doubles tandem of junior Steve DeMaagd (Calvin Christian HS) and
junior Marcus Zeilstra (Oakbrook, IL) were winners as was Calvin’s No. 2
doubles tandem of Tilton and Goorhouse.
Calvin is now 4-3 on the year and returns to action on Tuesday when it travels
to Spring Arbor for a 3:00 p.m. non-conference match.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
The Calvin men’s and women’s track and field teams had a number of solid
performances at the Grand Rapids Open on Saturday afternoon at HOn the men’s side, senior Jared Cok (Bozeman, MT) won the 400 meters with a
time of 48.70, just missing an NCAA III provisional qualifying mark. Senior
Ryan Jensen (Northview HS) did claim an NCAA III provisional qualifying mark on
Saturday, taking fourth in the hammer with a throw of 171-9.
Other highlights included Cok taking second in the 200 meters with a time of
22.70, senior Tim Finnegan (Los Alamos, NM) winning the 1,500 meters (4:01.04),
junior Jed Christiansen (Greenville, PA) taking second in the 3,000 meters
(8:29.64), sophomore George Visser (Chicago, IL) taking second in the 5,000
meters (15:24.60), sophomore Caleb Rottman (Fargo, ND) taking second in the 110
high hurdles (16.40) and freshman Eric Michel (Naperville, IL) winning the pole
vault (14-0).
On the women’s side, sophomore Heather Koning (Kalamazoo Christian HS) had a
big day, winning the 200 meters (26.83) and 400 meters (58.83). Junior Lauren
Bergstrom (Rochester, MN) also had a strong afternoon, taking second in the
1,500 meters with an NCAA III provisional qualifying time of 4:36.92.
In the 3,000 meters, sophomore Jessica Koster (Grand Rapids Christian HS) took
second with a time of 10:17.85. In the 5,000 meters, senior Christina Overbeck
(Seattle, WA) took first place with an NCAA III provisional qualifying time of
17:31.64. In the 400 meter hurdles, senior Sarah Wittingen (East Grand Rapids
HS) took first place with a time of 1:04.21, just missing an NCAA III
provisional qualifying performance.
Calvin’s 4x400 meter relay of junior Kristen VanSickel (Pittsburgh, PA), senior
Sarah Weller (Calvin Christian HS), Koning and Wittingen took first place with
a time of 4:00.00.
Freshman Rebekah VanDyk (Bellflower, CA) also added a second place performance
of 5-1 in the high jump while junior Julie Bratt (Lynden, WA) was second in the
triple jump (35-10 ½).
In the discus throw, sophomore Leigha Oberle (Grand Rapids Christian HS) had a
collegiate-best and NCAA III provisional qualifying throw of 137-5 that was
good for first place. Senior teammate Rachel VanderWiele (Holland Christian HS)
also had a big performance, uncorking a fourth place throw of 127-2.
In the javelin, freshman Kim Wigboldy (Chandler, AZ) took first place with a
throw of 109-0.
Both Calvin teams return to action on Saturday when they compete at the Ferris
State Bulldog Invitational.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Sat Mar 29 23:38:16 2008
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