The COVID-19 pandemic put an unexpected and early end to the 2020 spring seasons. As a result, traditional Senior Days were also canceled for spring sports. Please join us in recognizing and honoring our senior student-athletes through the tribute written by their coach below.
Four members of the baseball program have joined the exclusive class of Kalamazoo College Baseball Alumni. While 2020 will most notably be remembered for the pandemic of COVID-19, the class of 2020 has several other attributes that should be recalled. Despite their shortened senior season, the class of 2020 graduates as the fourth winningest class in program history with 71 wins. Playing in 128 games, the group of seniors helped the program have three winning seasons in their four years, two of the seasons were 20-plus win seasons, including the school record of 31 wins their freshmen year. The group also helped the program compile back-to-back second-place finishes in the MIAA in 2017 and 2018. We celebrate the four graduating members of the 2020 class today.
John Kunec, RHP, Ann Arbor, MI
John Kunec hails from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and was an important part of the Kalamazoo pitching staff over his four seasons. Known for his competitiveness and work ethic, the senior right-hander showcased that making 40 appearances in his career, with two of those being starts. Kunec was an integral part of the back end of the Hornets bullpen, where he compiled 49.2 innings while striking out 55 batters and notching three wins and three saves in his career. In his sophomore and junior seasons, John was second on the team in appearances, including making 19 appearances his sophomore season, which is the third-most in program history in a season. Kunec was tied for the most appearances on the team with four in his shortened senior season. John will graduate with a degree in economics from Kalamazoo College and will be pursuing a career in marketing or sales. He is honored with his parents Rob and Jennifer.
The Hornets baseball program is thankful for the dedication, impact, and work that these four members of the program have made in their careers. They have left the program in a great position and will be missed as they join the family of Kalamazoo College Baseball alumni.