LAKELAND, Fla. – Despite being outhit 11-6 Friday afternoon, the Kalamazoo College baseball team found the will to win its second game in as many days in Lakeland, Fla.
The Hornets defeated Suffolk University, 3-2. The Rams (7-2) were an NCAA III Tournament participant last season.
Kalamazoo got itself on the board first playing small ball in the top of the second. After loading the bases with a walk and two singles with one out, Nate Donovan grounded into a fielder's choice driving in Connor Grant. The Hornets added a second run when Donovan was caught stealing second but Andre Gard made a heads up base running play and advance home on the throw.
The Hornets scored their final run of the game in the top of the fourth when Gard singled up the middle and Jack Clark came around to score.
With Ryan Orr going six innings and giving up two runs in the fifth, the Hornets' bullpen came through down the stretch in the tight one-run affair.
Brandon DeFore, Joe Giacalone and Steve Simmons surrendered just one hit collectively in the final three innings of work and an outstanding leaping catch from David Kracht to end the eighth eliminated any thought of a comeback the Rams hoped to have.
Simmons was credited with the save while Orr earned the win.
Offensively, Gard led the way with two hits. Four other Hornets recorded a hit in the contest.
Kalamazoo takes on Babson tomorrow morning at 9:45 a.m. in its third game of the spring trip.