By Matt Gade

605 Sports

RAPID CITY — A year after making their first state tournament appearance, Rapid City Stevens senior duo Lainey Van Zee and Addie Hock know what it takes to play with the best teams in the state.

As a generally younger squad, the Raiders are looking to Hock and Van Zee to help lead the team back to another state tournament and make a run at it.

Van Zee is the Raiders' top pitcher this year, but when she’s not on the mound, she can be found playing in the infield while Hock serves as Stevens’ primary catcher.

During last year’s state tournament, after a rocky start to the Raiders' first game against Sioux Falls Washington, trailing 7-0, the Raiders managed to show a no-quit attitude, falling 8-7 in eight innings. From there, the Raiders slid into the consolation bracket before taking fifth-place with wins over Sioux Falls O’Gorman (11-7) and Brandon Valley (4-3).

After what seemed like pre-game jitters in the team’s first-ever state tournament appearance, in just the second year of South Dakota High School Activities Association sanctioned softball, the Raiders settled in and showed they could compete with the best in the state.

During that game against Sioux Falls Washington, Van Zee took the loss despite only giving up one run, while only allowing three hits while striking out seven in three and two-thirds innings.

In the consolation championship, Van Zee earned the win, pitching a complete game, giving up three runs off five hits while striking out 11 batters in seven innings.

“I definitely think last year there, I had some confidence issues, a little bit,” Van Zee said. “I think this year, I just need to be more confident in myself, especially since I'm a senior, and just, you know, just bringing that in with me and hopefully to everyone else.”

For Van Zee and Hock, the first thing they thought about after last year’s tournament was going back.

“Last year, it was really big for us as players, just to show that we can compete with East River, and the work we put in helps us get there,” Hock said. “I think also, as a community, it was a big thing and as a school, just because a lot of times like you look at the state tournaments and it's all East River teams, or a high majority, so being able to get fifth place at state kind of just show that, ‘Hey, don't forget about Stevens.’”

Rapid City Stevens' Addie Hock celebrates a home run hit against Spearfish while rounding third base high fiving head coach Sherry Grismer during a game on Thursday, April 10 at Parkview Softball Complex in Rapid City. (Matt Gade/605 Sports)

Due to typical South Dakota spring weather, the Raiders’ season so far has been a mix of games and weather postponements, with the Stevens getting a little slower start to the season than they’d like. 

The Raiders have had nearly two weeks off due to postponements and holiday breaks. Today, the team will make their first trip to East River, as the Raiders travel to Aberdeen Central for a 3 p.m. game, followed by a 1 p.m. contest in Pierre on Saturday.

So far this season, the Raiders have only a pair of games under their belt. Knocking off Spearfish 10-0 and Sturgis 8-7 to start the season 2-0.

In the game against Spearfish, Van Zee pitched a no-hitter, striking out 14 while giving up two walks. In the Sturgis game, Van Zee earned the win by coming in the top of the third as the Raiders and Scoopers were tied 6-6. From there, Van Zee only gave up one run on two hits while striking out 12 in four and two-thirds innings.

“Lainey threw a couple of gem, gems against Spearfish and Sturgis. And I think that was very helpful for us at the beginning of the season,” Rapid City Stevens head coach Sherry Grismer said. “And I think it lifted her confidence as well. As we go throughout our season and play some of the teams that are ranked higher than us, it's going to be a good challenge for all of us, including Lainey on the mound. There are other kids on the team, too, who are going to have to step up and pitch because Lainey has got one arm and we need to keep it healthy through the season.” 

Since last year’s state tournament, Van Zee and Hock both said they’ve spent time in the off-season either playing club ball or working in the cages to be prepared for this season.

Hock leads the Raiders with a .750 batting average, including a home run, while Van Zee is batting .667 with a home run.

“A big thing for me was lots and lots of hard work,” Hock said. “So over the off-season, I'd try to be at the cage at least three times a week, really just getting a routine. Having the same swing every time.

“I focused a lot more offensively than defensively over the off-season. I think for me, putting in the work, it just really boosts my confidence going into the season. I have hours of work behind me — So you're not kind of just hoping to perform. You know, you'll perform when you have the hours put in.”

Also during the off-season, Van Zee and Hock each committed to continue their softball careers in college, with Van Zee signing with Mount Marty University in Yankton and Hock signing to play for St. Olaf in Northfield, Minnesota.

“I've definitely wanted to play in college since I was little, and it was back and forth between different schools, and I just ended up picking to go to Mount Marty, just because I loved the coaches and staff, and I'm excited to go there,” Van Zee said.

Rapid City Stevens' Lainey Van Zee pitches against Spearfish Spartans during a game on Thursday, April 10 at Parkview Softball Complex in Rapid City. (Matt Gade/605 Sports)

As the season begins to pick up, Grismer and the Raiders will look to their seniors to lead the Raiders back to the state tournament. 

This year’s Class AA state tournament will be June 5-7 in Sioux Falls at Augustana University.

“I think me and Lainey, we just get the little things about each other. So between me behind the plate and her on the mound, even just simple body movements that people don't pick up on. We know what that means between each other,” Hock said. “I think it helps a lot for us being the pitcher and catcher, just because it's such a vital role on the field. 

“And so the biggest thing is if we have a good day, then the team they kind of feed off our energy. If Lainey’s pitching super well, obviously I'm hyped for her, and if I make a good play catching, then she's hyped for us. Then it kind of just spreads throughout the whole team.”