Zeeland East opens the season with a pair of wins vs. Grand Rapids Union. In the first game, the Chix offense got off to a strong start scoring 15 runs. The Chix gave up one run in the bottom of the first. In the second, the Chix continued their strong effort on offense by scoring 15 more runs in the second and four more in the third and would go on to win, 34-1.

Emme Meyering got the start in the circle for Zeeland East. She earned the win while allowing one run on two hits, while striking out two and walking two. Reese Gruppen pitched one scoreless inning in relief for the Chix. Giving up one hit and striking out one. 

Zeeland East collected 11 hits in the game. Gruppen led the way with four RBIs. She went 3-3 in the game, including a double and a triple. Megan Kuzma added a triple of her own in the second inning. Lorelei Buikema and Lily Blanton both hit inside-the-park homeruns for Zeeland East. The Chix collected 23 walks in the game, Oli Valenzuela collected four walks of her own. Jaiden Lee, Meyering, Megan Kuzma and Mackenzie Ruimveld each stole multiple bases in the game. Taylor Keefer also added a hit of her own, along with two walks.

In game two, Grand Rapids Union opened up the scoring in the first after a wild pitch scored one run. Reese Gruppen started game two in the circle for the Chix. She gave up one run on one hit in one inning of work, while striking out four. Kaylee Redder earned the win for Zeeland East as she came in, in relief and pitched two innings. She gave up zero hits and struck out five. 

The first inning lead didn’t last long for Grand Rapids Union, as the Chix put up 14 runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. The Chix added four more runs in the bottom of the second. Zeeland East was led by Gruppen, Jaiden Lee, Meyering, Buikema and Jordynn Berens, all of whom tallied RBIs for the Chix. Kuzma also scored three runs, Ruimveld added two runs of her own and Keefer also added a run for Zeeland East. Emme Meyering hit an inside-the-park homerun for the Chix in the game.

Next up for Zeeland East in a single game against Holland Christian on Friday.