Zeeland National Baseball Team Wins State Titel

by The Grand Rapids Press
Thursday July 30, 2009

In his first year of organized baseball, Dakota Geurink made history for Zeeland National's 9-10 baseball team. Geurink, who did not play T-ball, coach pitch or for any team before the 9-10 level, helped bring home the first state championship in Zeeland National's history.
His two-run double in the top of the seventh inning lifted Zeeland to a 6-4 win against North Saginaw in the finals.

Zeeland National had overcome a 4-3 deficit in the top of the sixth inning when Coby Curtiss doubled home Zach De Witt with the tying run. "These 13 guys on the team and the composure they've had -- the honor, the dignity -- that's what made me so proud," Zeeland coach Joe Rennick said. "I told the guys afterward to grow up strong, be men and lead their communities. They should be proud for what they did here today."

At the 9-10 and 10-11 levels in baseball and softball, action concludes at the state tournament level. Other players on the team included: Matt Van Dyken, Derek Jacobs, Jason Rennick, Trevor Ter Haar, Brady Twentyman, Drew Hart, Chase Medendorp, Cooper Kilinski, Tyler Brouwer and Levi Neleson. Trent Ter Haar and Steve De Witt were assistants.

Youth sports roundup 10-11 BASEBALL: At Jackson, Western's 10-11 team edged Birmingham 5-4 in eight innings. It was the third win in four games for Western. "They battled, we battled, it was a great game," Western coach Sam Stulpe said. Tyler Tuttle scored on a passed ball to win the game for Western. Collin Stulpe hit a home run to help aid the pitching of Bruce Buurstra and Christian Falicki, who combined for the win. Western faces Midland Northeast at 5 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals.