KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team opened play against the Kalamazoo College Hornets on Thursday, May 2nd, in a conference series that could determine the regular season champion. The Scots traveled to Kalamazoo for game one of three, where they jumped out to an early lead though the Hornets stormed back and would ultimately take game one 12-5.
Leading off the game, Kevin Tuttle stepped into the batter's box and got the Alma boys going early as he sent the ball over the left field wall and gave Alma a 1-0 lead with one at bat. Colin Czajkowski then was the next Alma batter to reach base as he reached on an error. Kyler Warren then singled and advanced Czajkowski to second before both runners advanced on a passed ball during the next at bat. After the passed ball, Cole Grunwald grounded out to second base, allowing for Czajkowski to score and give the Scots a 2-0 lead through the top of the first. The bottom of the first and the second inning saw no blood as both teams were held scoreless and mostly off the base paths. The third inning the Hornets started buzzing as they were able to bat through the lineup and tack on eight runs to take a six-run lead of their own. The Hornets added on an additional run in the bottom of the fourth to increase their lead to seven, as the Scots still looked for an answer.
The bottom of the fifth saw more Kalamazoo action with another two runs scoring across the plate, slowly putting the game farther out of reach for the Scots. The top of the sixth saw an Alma run scored by Warren as he singled and was advanced to third on a single by Tony Smith. Stephen McGlade then grounded out but Warren was able to score, giving Alma their third run of the game. The Hornets responded with a solo run in the bottom of the sixth as well. In the seventh, Taha Ebrahim kicked off the inning with a single through the right side and advanced to third on a Mitch Foley double down the left field line. Tuttle would then connect for an RBI single as Ebrahim scored and Foley advanced to third. Czajkowski also singled, scoring Foley for Alma's second run of the inning, bringing the score to 12-5, eventually where the game would end at.
Kyler Warren started the series on the mound, going for 2.2 innings while striking out one. Chase Balhoff came in for 1.1 innings striking out two in relief for Warren. Brendan McManus, Alex Hardacre and Josh West all came in for a combined four innings, and registering one strikeout.
Alma will look to rebound and flip the series as they will host the Hornets for a doubleheader on Saturday, May 4th, at Klenk Park for senior day. First Pitch for the doubleheader is set for 1:00 PM.
