Alexa Brott breaks Dux career strikeout record, earns two wins over rival Zeeland East
ZEELAND - Alexa Brott could have been done pitching.
The Zeeland West senior has endured almost constant pain in her shoulder for years, keeping her out of the circle as much as she was in it pitching.
But this year, Brott has been able to manage the pain and is thriving as an ace pitcher.
Last week, she struck out the 434th batter of her career, breaking the school record for career strikeouts, previously set by Morgan Engelsman.
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An impressive feat, but even more impressive with the time she has been forced out of pitching.
"It is incredible. It has been a really long journey. I went through a long period of injuries and considered giving up pitching for a while. I didn't even know until the end of my junior year that this was possible," Brott said. "Getting here is just a gratifying feeling. The injury thing is never going to go away. It is just about adapting and learning how to deal with it."
Brott's right shoulder has endured a lot as she explained.
"I have a lot going on in my shoulder, there is a list," she said. "I have a bone abnormality called glenoid dysplasia. Then I have multi-directional instability. But my right shoulder is the only thing I have had ligament damage in."
It is a lot to deal with, but to Brott it is worth it.
"It was a difficult decision for me," she said. "I knew my place for my team has always been the mound. That is where I have been able to help the most. My coaches and teammates have my back and have been really supportive."
That hard work is something that Zeeland West coach Kayla Smart has seen on a daily basis with Brott and led her to a pair of wins over Zeeland East on Tuesday.
"Her work ethic is the biggest thing. It is her senior year and she wants to go out with a bang," Smart said. "She is smart with her body and gets the job done."
She is smart with her approach, too, something that sets Brott apart.
"Something I have been able to learn over the years is keeping a calm demeanor out there. Just trying to be consistent and not (rattled)," she said.
Sometimes her hitting - which has been stellar every year - helps her pitching, too. It can be a welcome distraction.
"Sometimes if I am not having a good day in the box, I dial in on my hitting. But pitching helps my hitting as far as knowing spins and thinking about what pitchers would do next," Brott said.
Being able to block that out is a difficult thing to do.
"She is one of the best at leaving them separate and not letting them affect each other.She waits for her pitch and is so confident at the plate, which makes it that much better," Smart said.
Led by Brott, the Dux are aiming for a big season with a veteran team.
"Everything has been flowing really well. We are communicating and producing where we can. Everyone does their part and knows what they are capable of," Brott said.
And the goals are specific.
"We are going for winning the conference," Smart said. "When this team is on, they are lights out."
Brott wins twice as Dux sweep Chix
Maddi Veersma and Izzy Zamora each collected three hits in four at bats, as Zeeland West defeated Zeeland East 12-1 for the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. Veersma doubled in the sixth inning, singled in the third, and singled in the fifth. Zamora singled all three hits in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.
Zeeland East got a solo homerun by Megan Kuzma in the bottom of the first.
A double by Madi Wyckoff gave Zeeland West the lead again (2-1) in the top of the third.
Zeeland West scored six runs on sevens hits in the top of the sixth inning. Alexa Brott doubled, scoring two runs, Veersma doubled scoring one run, Emily Kragt doubled scoring one run, Yessie Alejandro grounded out scoring one run, and Jenna Hendricks singled scoring one run.
Brott earned the win for Zeeland West as the righty gave up three hits and one run over six innings, striking out nine and walking none.
The Dux tallied 14 hits in the game. Zamora and Veersma each collected three hits for the Dux. Brott, Alejandro, and Kragt each drove in two runs for Zeeland West. Morgan Patrick, Kragt, and Wyckoff each collected two hits. Kragt provided two doubles in her at bats.
In the second game, Zeeland West won 15-0 on Tuesday in three innings behind a 12-run second inning and a three-inning no-hitter.
In the second, Ellie Jobson doubled, scoring one run, Wyckoff singled with two RBIs, Morgan Patrick doubled with one RBI, Brott tripled scoring two RBIs, Kragt hit a sacrifice fly for an RBI, Zamora singled with an RBI. This followed up with an error scoring a run then Rily Howe singled with an RBI, and Brott drew a walk scoring one run.
Kragt hit a solo homerun to center field in the bottom of the third for the Dux to end the game.
Brott earned the win for Zeeland West in the circle. The righty surrendered zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out four and walking none.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Alexa Brott breaks Zeeland West career strikeout record, earns 2 wins
