Northwestern College head baseball coach Brian Wede announces the addition of Jeff Schouten and Patrick Sinnema to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2021 season.
“We are really excited to add both Jeff and Pat to our coaching staff,” comments Wede. “They both have a ton of experience within our conference and have talents that will help us develop our athletes in great young men and baseball players. Jeff helped us last year in a volunteer role and did a great job assisting our hitters and defense and will continue in that roll. Pat brings experience as a pitching coach and will assist Coach Kirkeby with our pitchers and help with team defense. Adding these two coaches to Coach Kirkeby and Coach Van Schepen gives us one of the most talented and experienced coaching staff’s in the Midwest.”
Schouten served in a volunteer role last season and brings 17 years of experience of coaching baseball to the Raider dugout. Schouten was the head of the Dordt University baseball program from 2004-07 and again from 2009-19, a total of 14 years. He was an assistant coach for the Defenders prior and also served in an assistant’s role for Unity Christian High School from 1997-2003.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to begin my second year as an assistant coach within the Northwestern baseball program,” said Schouten. “I enjoy working with the players to develop their God given abilities and to pursue championships along the way.”
Sinnema joins Wede’s staff after six-year stint as an assistant within the Dordt baseball program. He has also served as the head coach at both Western Christian High School (2018) and West Sioux High School (2010-11). Most recently, Sinnema was a member of coach Wede’s staff for MOC-Floyd Valley High School last summer.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with the Raider baseball program,” comments Sinnema. “I hold a lot of respect for the coaches in this program, the administration at NWC, and for the direction of Raider baseball. I’m looking forward to contributing to an established program that challenges their players to stand out in many ways: including in their faith, their education and on the baseball diamond.”
“It is a blessing to have such experienced coaches join our baseball staff,” said Dr. Micah Parker, Vice President for Athletics. “Both Jeff and Patrick are mission fits to Northwestern and our student athletes will benefit greatly from their presence.”
