Zeeland East goes 1-1 at the ZE Invite.

The Chix fell to Covenant Christian in their first game of the day on Saturday. Zeeland East took the lead in the third inning after Emme Meyering laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run. Covenant Christian scored three in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. Their lead didn’t last long when the Chix regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when they scored four runs. Those four runs came on a Mackenzie Ruimveld double, a Reese Gruppen Double and a Megan Kuzma sacrifice fly. Covenant Christian took the lead in the top of the seventh inning and the Chix were unable to overcome the deficit. Gruppen started the game in the circle for Zeeland East. She went seven innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits, striking out 10 and walking five. The Chix offense was led by Ruimveld, Gruppen and Isa Valenzuela, who each collected two hits in the contest.

In their second game of the day, Zeeland East defeated Forest Hills Central by a score of 18-7. FHC jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning, but the Chix took the lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Isa Valenzuela drove in two runs in the inning. Zeeland East scored six more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Megan Kuzma doubled, scoring two runs, an Isa Valenzuela ground out scored two, and a double by Lily Blanton scored one run. RBI singles by Lorelei Buikema and Isa Valenzula added to the lead in the bottom of the third. 

Kaylee Redder earned the win for the Chix. Redder surrendered seven runs (five earned) on six hits over five innings. Zeeland East collected 10 hits in the game. Ruimveld and Isa Valenzulea each had two hits. Reese Gruppen led the team with three walks and Jaiden Lee stole two bases in the contest. 

Next up for the Chix is a double header at Holland High School on Tuesday.