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ROCKFORD BASEBALL ACADEMY STAFF |
staff - ROCKFORD BASEBALL ACADEMY
MATT VRIESENGA
Coach Matt Vriesenga is the Founder of Rockford Baseball Academy and has been coaching baseball for 16 years.
His professional career started when he was drafted by the St Louis Cardinals in June of 2000. In his professional career, he was 6-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 140 innings pitched. He struck out 87 while walking only 23.
Matt’s coaching career began at Grand Rapids Christian High where he coached for 4 years winning District coach of the year 3 times, regional coach of the year 1 time and his team finished Division 2 runner up in 2005. From there he became the pitching coach at Calvin College for 4 seasons where his team set a school record for ERA in 2008 and coached the MIAA pitcher of the year.
Matt now coaches at Rockford High School where he was District coach of the year 4 times and regional coach of the year 2 times.
Coach Vriesenga has 3 boys, Zach, Carter and Cam who are all involved in baseball.
Coach Vriesenga will run the arm care program as well as give Pitching, Hitting and Fielding instruction at RBA.
SEAN O’ROURKE
Coach Sean O’Rourke has been coaching baseball for six years. Sean played for Division II Ouachita Baptist University (Arkansas) from 2009-2010. At OBU Sean was predominately a middle relief pitcher and closer. In his first season at OBU, he helped contribute to the team’s success in their NCAA Div. II College World Series runners-up finish. Prior to OBU, Sean played outfield and was a starting pitcher at Grand Rapids Community College (2006-2007). During his first season in 2006, he helped contribute to the team’s NJCAA College World Series runners-up finish.
Sean’s coaching career began at Rockford High School where he was a JV assistant coach for 3 years. The past 7 seasons, Sean has served as the Varsity baseball assistant coach under Head Coach Matt Vriesenga. Sean has also been head coach to multiple 15U, 16U, and 17U summer teams through Rockford High Schools baseball program and RBA.
Coach O’Rourke lives in Rockford with his Lovely wife Katie, and three daughters Lucy, Emma, and Annie.
Coach O'Rourke will work with Pitching, Hitting and Fielding at RBA.
MATT SCHEPEL
Matt Schepel has been coaching baseball for 10 years. He spent 3 years at Grand Rapids Christian as a Freshman and JV coach, the past 4 years as an assistant at Calvin College, and spent one year as the hitting coach at Rockford High School. He is currently the head baseball coach at East Grand Rapids High School.
Matt played his high school baseball at Grand Rapids Christian, and college baseball at Calvin. As a member of the Calvin baseball program, Schepel was a two-time first team All-MIAA selection while also receiving All-MIAA second team honors twice. As a senior in 2014, Schepel was named to the ABCA All-Mideast Region first team as well as to the D3baseball.com All-Mideast Region first team after batting .394 with 38 runs batted, 36 runs scored, 33 base on balls and 21 extra-base hits.
Schepel finished his Calvin career as the school's all-time leader in total bases (298), hits (177), runs scored (134), runs batted in (130), home runs (19), doubles (33) and base on balls (108) and is tied for the all-time lead in triples (11).
Matt will work with Hitters.
CONNOR JACKSON
Connor is in his second season as an assistant coach at Rockford High School for the Varsity Baseball team. He also coaches a summer team at RBA.
Connor played his high school baseball at Rockford High School, and college baseball at Hope College. He also spent one season as an assistant coach there.
Connor works with both pitchers and hitters.
Coach Matt Vriesenga is the Founder of Rockford Baseball Academy and has been coaching baseball for 16 years.
His professional career started when he was drafted by the St Louis Cardinals in June of 2000. In his professional career, he was 6-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 140 innings pitched. He struck out 87 while walking only 23.
Matt’s coaching career began at Grand Rapids Christian High where he coached for 4 years winning District coach of the year 3 times, regional coach of the year 1 time and his team finished Division 2 runner up in 2005. From there he became the pitching coach at Calvin College for 4 seasons where his team set a school record for ERA in 2008 and coached the MIAA pitcher of the year.
Matt now coaches at Rockford High School where he was District coach of the year 4 times and regional coach of the year 2 times.
Coach Vriesenga has 3 boys, Zach, Carter and Cam who are all involved in baseball.
Coach Vriesenga will run the arm care program as well as give Pitching, Hitting and Fielding instruction at RBA.
SEAN O’ROURKE
Coach Sean O’Rourke has been coaching baseball for six years. Sean played for Division II Ouachita Baptist University (Arkansas) from 2009-2010. At OBU Sean was predominately a middle relief pitcher and closer. In his first season at OBU, he helped contribute to the team’s success in their NCAA Div. II College World Series runners-up finish. Prior to OBU, Sean played outfield and was a starting pitcher at Grand Rapids Community College (2006-2007). During his first season in 2006, he helped contribute to the team’s NJCAA College World Series runners-up finish.
Sean’s coaching career began at Rockford High School where he was a JV assistant coach for 3 years. The past 7 seasons, Sean has served as the Varsity baseball assistant coach under Head Coach Matt Vriesenga. Sean has also been head coach to multiple 15U, 16U, and 17U summer teams through Rockford High Schools baseball program and RBA.
Coach O’Rourke lives in Rockford with his Lovely wife Katie, and three daughters Lucy, Emma, and Annie.
Coach O'Rourke will work with Pitching, Hitting and Fielding at RBA.
MATT SCHEPEL
Matt Schepel has been coaching baseball for 10 years. He spent 3 years at Grand Rapids Christian as a Freshman and JV coach, the past 4 years as an assistant at Calvin College, and spent one year as the hitting coach at Rockford High School. He is currently the head baseball coach at East Grand Rapids High School.
Matt played his high school baseball at Grand Rapids Christian, and college baseball at Calvin. As a member of the Calvin baseball program, Schepel was a two-time first team All-MIAA selection while also receiving All-MIAA second team honors twice. As a senior in 2014, Schepel was named to the ABCA All-Mideast Region first team as well as to the D3baseball.com All-Mideast Region first team after batting .394 with 38 runs batted, 36 runs scored, 33 base on balls and 21 extra-base hits.
Schepel finished his Calvin career as the school's all-time leader in total bases (298), hits (177), runs scored (134), runs batted in (130), home runs (19), doubles (33) and base on balls (108) and is tied for the all-time lead in triples (11).
Matt will work with Hitters.
CONNOR JACKSON
Connor is in his second season as an assistant coach at Rockford High School for the Varsity Baseball team. He also coaches a summer team at RBA.
Connor played his high school baseball at Rockford High School, and college baseball at Hope College. He also spent one season as an assistant coach there.
Connor works with both pitchers and hitters.
ZACH MARSHALL
Zach is currently interning with Rockford Baseball Academy.
Aquinas College 2022 - 2024
Currently in Senior year at Aquinas College studying Business Administration and Sports Management, with a focus in Marketing. During the 2022 season, threw 56.2 innings in 11 appearances to go along with a 4.13 ERA and 4 complete games. The 2022 season was shortened due to injury, as well as missed the 2023 season. Will be ready for the 2024 Saints season.
Kellogg Community College 2020 - 2021
Spent two years with the Bruins, which included the shortened Covid-19 season in 2020. In 12 appearances, threw 49 innings, supported by a 3.31 ERA. Named MCCAA Western Conference Honorable Mention, as well as being a contributor to a NJCAA DII World Series run with a 3rd place finish.
High School
Attended Rockford High School and was coached by Matt Vriesenga. Named two time OK Red All Conference team, All Region, and Honorable Mention All State. Part of the 2019 State Runner Up
Zach is currently interning with Rockford Baseball Academy.
Aquinas College 2022 - 2024
Currently in Senior year at Aquinas College studying Business Administration and Sports Management, with a focus in Marketing. During the 2022 season, threw 56.2 innings in 11 appearances to go along with a 4.13 ERA and 4 complete games. The 2022 season was shortened due to injury, as well as missed the 2023 season. Will be ready for the 2024 Saints season.
Kellogg Community College 2020 - 2021
Spent two years with the Bruins, which included the shortened Covid-19 season in 2020. In 12 appearances, threw 49 innings, supported by a 3.31 ERA. Named MCCAA Western Conference Honorable Mention, as well as being a contributor to a NJCAA DII World Series run with a 3rd place finish.
High School
Attended Rockford High School and was coached by Matt Vriesenga. Named two time OK Red All Conference team, All Region, and Honorable Mention All State. Part of the 2019 State Runner Up