By John Raffel | Advance Newspapers 
on March 30, 2018 3:56 PM

GRAND RAPIDS -- Covenant Christian coach Travis Van Bemmel enters the season optimistically with his softball team.

Now in his 20th year as coach, Van Bemmel admits the Chargers will face a major challenge right off the bat.

“Last year’s pitcher Grace Mulder tore her ACL during volleyball season, and is unable to play this season,” Van Bemmel said. “This is a huge loss for our team, and everyone will have to step up on defense.”

The 2017 team, an independent, was 9-27 overall. A victory over Lowell was a key highlight.

“The 2017 team was a team that improved throughout the season, and at the end of the year was very competitive and a tough team to beat,” Van Bemmel said.

Key graduation losses from last year include four-year starter Danae Decker and outfielder Taylor Vink.

Among the key returning players is senior second baseman and pitcher Brianna Meulenberg.

“Brianna will share the pitching duties this year,” Van Bemmel said. “She’s a good contact hitter.”

Aubrey Schimmel is a senior catcher who hits with good power and has excellent speed. Senior center fielder Alyssa Mastbergen also hits with power and sophomore shortstop Olivia Koole has good speed, is a good contact hitter, and is improving defensively.

Senior Emily Vink will primarily be an outfielder this year, after spending most of the season at first base last year.

“Emily adds speed to our outfield,” Van Bemmel said. “These four will have to be leaders in the dugout and on the field.”

Covenant Christian has some promising newcomers with sophomore second baseman/pitcher Lauren Riemersma, freshman third baseman Emma Van Bemmel, and sophomore first baseman/outfielder Dee Corson.

“Lauren will step into a starting pitching role this year,” Van Bemmel said. “Emma hits with some power. She is stepping into the starting role at third base. Dee is a good contact hitter.

“This group has been working hard, and they want to win. Defense must be a strength if we hope to compete. This is group with a lot of softball knowledge. They know and understand the game. We hope to compete for a district championship in 2018. The girls have high expectations for themselves.”

Van Bemmel wants his team to focus on improvement, rather than wins and losses.

“Everyone will need to accept their role on this team and be willing to do things for the good of the team,” Van Bemmel. “We need to concentrate on getting better as individuals in order to have team success.

“Our pitchers will need to eliminate walks to allow our defense to make plays. With young pitchers, this can be an issue. We will need to play solid defense. With our youth in the infield and on the mound, we cannot afford to give teams extra outs.”

Covenant Christian senior Aubrey Schimmel provides an outstanding blend of speed and power atop the batting order, along with defensive skills behind the plate. (Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)

By John Raffel | Advance Newspapers 
on May 03, 2018 7:16 AM

GRAND RAPIDS -- Covenant Christian softball coach Travis Van Bemmel has been impressed with the performance of his two senior second-year varsity players, Aubrey Schimmel and Brianna Meulenberg, and for good reason.

Schimmel is the team’s primary catcher.

“Aubrey bats lead off for us and hits with a lot of power,” Van Bemmel said. “She is the fastest player on the team, and has a rocket for an arm. Her slugging percentage is .571. She has two doubles and six triples so far this season, as well as eight stolen bases.”

In the Holland Tournament recently, Schimmel was 2-for-2 at the plate, including a bases-loaded triple to help the Chargers top Grand Haven.

“Aubrey was injured in the early part of the season in 2017, and it was a long process to come back,” Van Bemmel said. “She is taking advantage of every opportunity this year. 

“Aubrey is a player that I would dare to put anywhere on the field, and I am confident that she would be successful. Aubrey was also a starter on the basketball team this year. Softball is the sport that she most looks forward to.”

Van Bemmel calls Meulenberg our "everything player. Brianna primarily plays second base and pitcher, but has also played first base and third base this year.”

Meulenberg bats No. 3 in Covenant Christian’s lineup, with a .346 batting average, five doubles, and nine RBI.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The Covenant Christian softball team benefits from the leadership, heart, and team-first attitude exhibited by three-sport athlete Brianna Meulenberg.(Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)

“Bri's greatest attributes are her leadership and her heart,” Van Bemmel said. “She never quits playing, and pushes everyone else to work hard. 

“Bri is one of those rare three-sport athletes. She has played volleyball, basketball, and softball all four years at Covenant. I think Bri's favorite sport is whichever one is in season right now.”

Both girls are being counted upon heavily by the Chargers.

“We are a young team, with one freshman and four sophomores in the starting lineup,” Van Bemmel said. “We play a very difficult schedule against teams such as Jenison, West Ottawa, Zeeland West, and South Christian, just to name a few. 

“Bri and Aubrey have been very encouraging to the underclassmen, and all of their teammates, and have helped us become a team.

“Because of their willingness to play anywhere that they are needed, they are creating a team-first atmosphere in our softball program. We have made a lot of improvement so far this season, and continue to improve and gain confidence each week. 

“If we can follow their example, we should have a good season. Both of these girls are excellent students and are a lot of fun to be around. They help make practices fun, while still working hard.”