HOLLAND, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College baseball team advanced in the MIAA Tournament with an 11-10 walk-off win over Hope in 10 innings on Thursday. The win over the MIAA regular season champion puts Kalamazoo in Friday's championship round of the double elimination tournament. A win Friday would give Kalamazoo the league's automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships.
Kalamazoo and Hope exchanged leads multiple times during the first five innings. Kalamazoo held an 8-4 lead through four innings. Hope put up six runs in the top of the fifth to take a 10-8 lead.
Neither team scored in the sixth, seventh or eighth. Kalamazoo entered the bottom of the ninth still down by two. The Hornets loaded the bases with three walks and scored one run on a sacrifice fly. Another walk loaded the bases again with two outs. After a pitching change, another walk brought home the tying run. The final out was recorded when Kalamazoo tried to score on a ball that got away from the catcher as the Hornet runner was called out on a close play at the plate.
Hope put one runner on in the top of the 10th before the side was retired. In the bottom of the 10th, Ben Chosid singled to lead off. Blake Bean was hit by pitch before a Doug Propson bunt single loaded the bases. The next two batters struck out swinging. Lukas Bolton proceeded to walk, bringing home Chosid for the game-winning run, and a second consecutive walk-off win for the Hornets.
Hope had 15 hits in the game compared to 13 by Kalamazoo. The two teams combined for 15 walks.
Harrison Poeszat and Ben Chosid both had three hits in the game.
Doug Propson, Spencer Baldwin and Max Gordon each had two hits. Gordon had a double and a home run, while Baldwin also homered.
Gordon also drove in three runs. Baldwin had two RBIs.
Alex Bowden and Braden Mussat pitched the final four scoreless innings. Bowden struck out three in 2.1 innings. Mussat earned the win in the final 1.2 innings.
Kalamazoo will face the winner of Thursday's third game on Friday. Friday's game is currently scheduled for 12 p.m. An "if neccessary" game would follow.