D2 Baseball Final: Redemption for GRC
June 16, 2012
BATTLE CREEK – “Redemption” was the word used by Grand Rapids Christian junior Alex VandeVusse on Friday to describe how the Eagles hoped to finish this season with a win after ending 2011 with a loss in the Division 2 Final.
Consider them redeemed.
Senior Taylor Pruis finished off an outstanding hitting weekend with three hits, two RBI and two runs scored as Grand Rapids Christian cruised to a 6-1 win over Bay City John Glenn and its first MHSAA championship Saturday at Bailey Park.
The Eagles (36-5) broke open a 1-1 game with three runs in the top of the sixth inning, and then scored two more in the seventh as senior Kurt Hoekstra finished up three and two-thirds hitless innings for the win in relief. Grand Rapids Christian was ranked No. 2 in the state coaches poll heading into the tournament and also had finished runner-up in 2005.
John Glenn, ranked No. 3, played in its first Final. The Bobcats got two hits from senior Brandon Vittitow, but only two more total. They finished 35-8.
Click for a complete box score.
PHOTO: Grand Rapids Christian teammates congratulate first baseman Alex VandeVusse after he stretches to make a play during Saturday's Division 2 Final.
Moment: Homer Walks Off into Final
April 30, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Baseball “Walk-off Week” finishes today with Homer crossing home last spring to set up its first Finals championship on the diamond since 2004.
Jacob Wilson’s smash into left field drove in the game-winning run as the Trojans downed Pewamo-Westphalia 2-1 in nine innings to advance to the Division 3 championship game – which Homer then won 4-0 over Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett.
The hit was Wilson’s only one in four at bats during the June 14 Semifinal. He also threw the first six and two-thirds innings on the mound, giving up just one run and striking out five. Zach Butters came on in the seventh inning to handle the final seven outs for the Trojans – and Butters also scored the winning run in the ninth after walking to open the bottom of the frame.
“I was up to bat and I was looking at my teammates while they were on base, and they were just looking at me smiling, giving me a thumbs up,” Wilson said after the win. “I just had faith in myself that I could get it down.”
Butters threw six and one-third shutout innings the following day to get the championship game win as Homer finished the season 33-3.
Click for coverage of the Semifinal from Second Half and see below for the game winner from the NFHS Network.