Story by Mitch Blankespoor
AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Kalamazoo College baseball team snapped a 2-game skid Wednesday, March 26 with a 6-3 win over Thomas College (Me.).
Freshman pitcher Nic Janssen earned the victory scattering eight hits and two earned runs across five innings of work.
"Nic Janssen was phenomenal in his first collegiate start," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mike Ott said. "He filled the zone with all three of his pitches and gave us a great start."
Thomas got to Janssen for a run in the first and the second, but Kalamazoo would not trail for long. Freshman catcher Brett Garwood singled in freshman John Jackoviak in the second inning. A batter later, freshman Ian Kobernick scored on a passed ball to tie the game.
In the third inning, junior Scott Devine drove in freshman Mitchell VanKoevering after he walked and swiped a bad. Devine then stole third and was driven in by Kobernick.
Stealing bases seemed to be the theme for Kalamazoo in the game as the Hornets totaled 10 in the nine inning contest.
Two of those aforementioned steals directly led to a run in the fifth when Ott called for the double steal. Junior Carter Chandler stole second base while Devine stole home plate.
Both teams would score one more run, but this afternoon, the Kalamazoo bullpen shut down Thomas. Freshman Brent Yelton pitched the sixth and seventh while sophomore Dylan Pierce kept the score 6-3 into the ninth inning. Freshman Aaron Schwark earned his first collegiate save retiring Thomas in order.
Devin, Kobernick, and Garwood each tallied two hits in the game. Each team had 11 hits in the game.
"We were able to be aggressive and creative on offense," Ott said. "We learned a lot on this trip. This win gives us some confidence and positive momentum moving into conference season."
Kalamazoo improves to 3-8 on the season with the victory. Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play opens up March 29 for a twin bill against Alma College.