Zeeland West’s Holtrust sets unique state record
ZEELAND, Mich. (BVM) — Putting your name in the record books is something every athlete strives for. While Zeeland West High School senior Corey Holtrust is likely happy to be a record-setting player for the Dux, it’s probably not the way he imagined it would happen.
At the end of May, Holtrust was hit in the back during a game against Unity Christian, marking the 30th time this season he had been hit by a pitch. He has been hit two more times since, marking 32 times that it has happened in 38 games.
The 30th hit-by-pitch was a single-season state record for Holtrust, breaking the previous mark of 29 held by Nick LaCross. The mark is also second all-time nationally, with Holtrust not far off from the record of 39 held by former Oklahoma high school baseball player, Hudson Hedges.
While unique, Holtrust and his Dux teammates will take whatever they can get as they head towards the conclusion of what has been a record-breaking season overall for Zeeland West.
The Dux currently sit at 30-8, which is a program–best mark for wins in a season. Soon, they will move into postseason play with their first district game coming up on Saturday against Holland.
As they chase their state championship dreams, the Dux will not only need Holtrust to continue to get on base, but keep up his record-setting pace while there. In addition to the hit-by-pitch record, Holtrust has also set program single-season records for runs scored with 52, as well as stolen bases with 30.
Plenty of additional single-season program records have been set throughout the late stages of the season in this historic campaign for Zeeland West as well. Recently, Aden Degraaf broke the single-season hits record, while Carson Gulker set the single-season RBI mark. Star pitcher Josh Agar has also broken multiple records on the mound this season, including most wins in a season as well as most strikeouts.
The Dux will look to close their season strong over the next couple weeks. But in a season that has been all about setting program-best marks at Zeeland West, Holtrust may just have the record which stands out the most.
