It's been a record-setting year in 2017 for Kalamazoo College baseball. Finishing the MIAA season with a program-high 20 conference wins, the group locked itself into the No. 2 seed in the MIAA postseason tournament. Aspirations of a repeat and earning the school's second NCAA Regional berth in as many years have been at the forefront of the Hornets' mind since the offseason, and they'll begin their journey Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. as they host their first tournament game in program history.
The Games | Wednesday, May 10 – Friday, May 12
May 10
No. 4 Calvin at No. 1 Adrian – 4 p.m.
No. 3 Hope at No. 2 Kalamazoo – 4 p.m.
May 11-12
Set up as a double-elimination-style tournament, three games will be played on Thursday, May 11 with the championship game(s) played on Friday, May 12. All games played on May 11 and 12 are hosted at Adrian's Nicolay Field.
Admission
Adults: $7/game
Non-MIAA Students, Seniors 65+ and All Faculty/Staff with ID: $5/game
MIAA Students with ID: Free
Who to Watch
Ian Kobernick's put together an All-American caliber season with a slash line of .444/.525/.735 and 49 runs batted in in 2017. Protected by Jack Clark who's batting .351 with 36 RBIs, the senior duo's created a potent heart of the order for K. Combine that with the 35 stolen bags from Jordan Wiley at the top of the lineup, and it's not a wonder the Hornets have broken numerous team offensive records this season.
When Ryan Orr's not batting second in front of Kobernick in the lineup, he's on the mound doing what he does best. A signee of the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League for 2017, Orr compiled a 7-1 record with a 2.56 ERA this season and strikes out 10.09 batters per nine innings.
Aaron Schwark, the team's No. 2 starter and a two-year captain, has been a model of consistency in the rotation for K giving up three of fewer runs in seven of his nine starts this season, notably giving up two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts.
Recent History
The Hornets had their way with Hope and Calvin in 2017 going a combined 6-2 against the Flying Dutchmen and Knights. Adrian swept the Hornets during the regular season in 2017, but the Hornets have had their fair share of success against the Bulldogs in the past going 3-2 last season with one win coming in the MIAA tournament.
Notes
Kalamazoo Head Coach Mike Ott sits on 99 career wins as the program's head coach heading into postseason play…Ian Kobernick's 49 RBIs shattered the previous single-season record of 35 held by Ryan Benjamin…Jack Clark's been hit by a pitch 18 times in his career, just six shy of a program record…In just two seasons, Jordan Wiley's combined to steal 60 bases, six shy of the career record…Since 2013, the Hornets have increased their win total each season by an average rate of 4.5 wins per year.