April 17, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team is facing Calvin University at a special game on Tuesday, April 19 at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps.
The teams are playing a doubleheader, with the first game starting at 2 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
The home team:
GRCC is 14-20 on the season, but that’s a little misleading. The team started the season on a tough, 11-game road trip down south facing four-year schools and other top competition, losing the first 10 games. GRCC is 8-8 in conference play.
Players to watch:
Byron Center native Ryan Dykstra is powering the GRCC offense, leading the team in batting average with .371, hits with 39, doubles with nine, and home runs with four. Jerad Berkenpas, also from Byron Center, has been the ace, leading team with four wins, a 2.45 earned run average, and 46 strikeouts in 40.1 innings. Caleb Engelsman, of Rockford, recently had a game for the ages, hitting a two-out, bases-loaded triple to give GRCC a walk-off win against rival Muskegon Community College – and even pitched a complete-game victory.
The coach:
The Raiders are led by Mike Eddington, who played two seasons at Grand Rapids Junior College for legendary Coach Tom Hofmann. He was part of the team that placed sixth in the Junior College World Series and was an honorable mention All-American. Eddington transferred to Michigan State University, where he broke the Spartan home run record, previously held by former Detroit Tigers star Kirk Gibson -- a record that still stands today.
The opponent:
Calvin University is 12-12 this season, coming off a doubleheader split against Kalamazoo College on Saturday. Catcher Rick Padilla is leading the team offensively with a .372 batting average, eight doubles and three homers. Pitcher Calvin Miller has three wins, a save and a 2.19 earned run average. Kevin Van Duyn is in his fourth year as Calvin’s head coach. A two-time Division III All-American second baseman at Calvin, Van Duyn has a record of 42-38 and a second place MIAA finish in 2021.
Honorees:
The GRCC Athletic Department is celebrating the 26th anniversary of the 1996 team and the 25th anniversary of the 1997 team, both winning the NJCAA baseball national championship. The teams included two players – Brad Block and Joe Trigg – who were named All-Americans. A number of players from those teams are planning to attend and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Admission:
Admission is free for GRCC students and employees with their RaiderCard. General admission is $10, and $5 for Calvin students and employees with their ID card.
Parking:
Parking at LMCU Ballpark will be free.
GRCC baseball history:
GRCC’s baseball team has a storied tradition, with five national championships, 19 regional championships and 30 conference championships. GRCC coach Hofmann led his team to nearly 700 wins, served as an assistant coach on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was inducted into the Community College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988 and into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
GRCC at LMCU Ballpark:
It’s the second year that GRCC has played at LMCU Ballpark. Last year’s doubleheader against Kellogg Community College, was the first game at the stadium since the start of the pandemic, and the first with the park’s new name.