ALMA, Mich. – Returning to Klenk Park for the first time of the 2026 season while hosting the first non-conference home game in many years, the Alma College baseball team kicked off their home game season on Tuesday, March 24th, against Aquinas College. The Scots took the first lead of the game and held onto it the entire way for a home opener wire-to-wire win for the first at Klenk of the season, 4-2.
After holding the saints in the top of the inning, the Scots got to work in the bottom of the first, plating the first run of the game. Giuseppe Sapienza was the first Scot on base with a single to third before a fielder's choice by Alexander Kavalick sent Sapienza back to the dugout. Kavalick stole second in the following at bat before a hard hot ball to the wall from Cole Grunwald scored Kavalick. Grunwald would reach third for his second triple of the season. Alma would round out the first inning up 1-0.
Aquinas was able to tie the game in the top of the third with some singles and a sacrifice bunt, sending a solo run across the plate. Alma was able to regain the lead in the bottom of the inning with one swing of the bat. Sapienza was dealt a four pitch walk to put himself on base with Kavalick stepping into the box. The first home run of the season at Klenk Park belonged to Kavalick as he sent a high fly ball over the tall left field wall for a two-run shot and his fourth of the season. The Scots big hit put them back on top, 3-1.
After a stretch of scoreless innings from each side, the Saints looked to add more runs and chip away at their small deficit in the eighth inning. A lead off double and a single would do the trick, sending across the second Saints run of the game, but the Josh West would take care of the rest of the inning, holding the Saints in check at two runs for the game.
Alma was able to add an insurance run to their lead in the bottom of the eighth with another big swing of the bat by Grunwald this time, taking a ball over the same left field wall as Kavalick for the Scots second home run of the game and season at Klenk. The Scots eighth inning home run put themselves up 4-2 heading into the last three outs for the Saints. Kenny Fistler would take care of the final batters, striking out the first two and picking up a ground ball and tossing over to first to end the game and give Alma their first win on home soil and round out non-conference play with another win.
Kaden Warren made his first start of the year for the Scots on the bump, pitching for four innings and striking out two. William Fockler saw relief action for three innings while collecting four whiffs, followed by West and Fistler, who picked up his third save of the season in the win.
Alma will now turn their attention towards Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play that begins on Friday, March 27th, at #22 Adrian College. First pitch for the series opener is set for 4:00 PM.
