KALAMAZOO - The Kalamazoo College baseball team split a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader with Alma College in the first ever games on new Woodworth Field on Wednesday. Despite hosting the doubleheader because of unplayable field conditions in Alma, Kalamazoo was the visiting team in both games.
After dropping the opener 7-6, Kalamazoo responded with a 4-0 win in the second game.
Aaron Schwark pitched a shutout in game two, scattering four hits while walking two and hitting a batter. He got out of a bases loaded jam in the first and left runners stranded on second and third with one out in the fifth while retiring seven straight Alma hitters to end the game.
Kalamazoo had 10 hits in the game, led bye Mitchell VanKoevering and John Jackoviak with two hits each. Jackoviak also stole a base and drove in a run.
Marc Zughaib and Carter Chandler also drove in runs.
Kalamazoo let a 6-0 lead slip away in the opener. The Hornets scored one run in the first before adding five runs in the fourth. Alma responded with four in the fifth, one in the sixth, and completed the comeback with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Alma scored seven runs on seven hits while Kalamazoo scored six runs on six hits.
Marc Zughaib was 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the leadoff spot. Scott Devine had a bases clearing double in the fourth inning while Carter Chandler went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Adam McDowell started the game and struck out five in five and a third innings.
The two teams are scheduled to complete the four game series with a single game in Kalamazoo on Thursday, April 3 at 5 p.m.