GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The Ottawa Hills boys’ baseball team enters the season with a new leader and a roster eager to prove itself. First-year varsity coach Kevin Thompson has already noticed a key strength: the team’s natural chemistry and enthusiasm for the game.
“I think we have a really tight-knit group,” Thompson said. “We have a group of guys who really love baseball, and they click. It doesn’t seem to matter what position. They take to it.”
That flexibility is something the team leans into during practice, where players regularly rotate through different spots on the field and even spend time on the mound. Thompson wants his team prepared for any situation and emphasizes a mentality that values effort and resilience.
“We’re going to play fast and aggressive. Any extra base we can take, we’re going to take it,” he said. “We’re going to pump the zone and put pressure on the other team.”
Senior pitcher Zachariah Kinnear is expected to play a key role in that aggressive approach. Known for his presence on the mound, Kinnear has high expectations for himself this season after earning all-conference honorable mention recognition last spring.
“My goal is to do as well as possible pitching, and I would like to be all-conference again,” he said.
As a group, Kinnear said the team’s mindset centers around effort and improvement. While some players are newer to the sport, he believes the group’s willingness to work hard has been a defining factor in the early part of the season.
Senior Makhi Allen has also noticed a difference in the team’s approach. During practice, he said players have been focused on building strong fundamentals and maintaining the right mindset. Technique and attitude have been key points of emphasis as the team prepares for game situations where small details can make a big difference.
Off the field, Allen said the group’s chemistry stands out the most.
“I’d say this is the best team chemistry I’ve been a part of so far,” Allen said. “Practices are really fun, and we all get along really well.”
Among the players bringing that energy to the roster is newcomer Ezequiel Sausedo, who moved from Texas at the beginning of the school year. A lifelong baseball player, Sausedo has experience playing travel ball, but he never played for his high school team down south. When he arrived at Ottawa Hills, he saw another chance to prove himself.
“I tried out here, did everything I know I can do to the best of my abilities, and made the team,” Sausedo said.
Sausedo typically plays outfield and third base, but he is willing to contribute wherever the team needs him. As he settles into the program, he is focused on learning his teammates’ strengths and building connections on the field. For him, the opportunity to play again has been the most exciting part.
“I’m just trying to have fun for the season,” he said.
With a new coach, experienced seniors, and players eager to step into different roles, the Ottawa Hills baseball team enters the season with energy and optimism. The group’s chemistry and aggressive style could make the Bengals a team to watch as the OK White schedule unfolds.
