The 2003 Christian School Softball tournament was in Kanawha, Iowa, and, for the first time in three years, Hollandale was matched up in the opening game against the host team.

Despite some early jitters, the game was extremely well played on both sides. Several fine fielding plays by the pitcher, Annika Smed, and shortstop, David Reed, helped hold Kanawha to only seven runs.

Hollandale’s scoring started in the second inning as Robert Heijerman led off with a home run. He and Jason Randall went deep back-to-back to lead off the fourth in a three-run inning that put the HCS Huskies up for good. Michael Kelly scored the go-ahead run in the fifth, while Reed added some insurance in the sixth. Other runs were scored by Alyssa Karsjens, Michael Kelly, Jace DeBoer and Josh Otterman, while Heijerman and Reed each crossed the plate twice.

Due to scheduling, the victory vaulted HCS into the championship against Timothy Christian School of Wellsburg, Iowa.

It started sunny and bright and the HCS batters enjoyed the first inning, batting around and plating five runs. With two runs in the second, HCS had a nice cushion, but Timothy kept chipping away, gaining ground as the weather turned to soft rain showers, and the Huskies couldn’t keep pace. Held scoreless in the third and fourth, HCS scored one in the fifth and another in the sixth, but the rally fell short as Hollandale fell 11-10.

Every student played exceptionally well. They were supportive of each other, while playing their best. The second-place finish was Hollandale’s best showing in three years. A good time was had by all, and all enjoyed the good Christian sportsmanship.