The Kellogg Community College baseball team secured its fourth consecutive Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference championship Friday, completing a four-game sweep of Mid Michigan College with a pair of big wins at home.
The Friday contest saw the return of freshman standout pitcher Jayden Dentler (Allegan/Otsego High School), who’d been out for several games due to injury, and brings the Bruins’ current winning streak to nine in a row.
“Welcome back Captain Dentler, who didn’t miss a beat in a dominating performance,” Head KCC Baseball Coach Eric Laskovy said. “Game two was highlighted by relief pitchers Ryan Vought and Connor Brawley. Both were superb in preserving a one-run win. Bobby Slusher has been key to our current nine-game win streak, catching back-to-back doubleheaders regularly.”
Results from each game follow.
Game 1: KCC 5, MCC 1
Dentler returned with a strong performance in game one, pitching a full seven innings for the win and striking out 10.
At the plate for the Bruins in game one, sophomore infielder Connor Hnilo (Caledonia/Caledonia High School) went 2-2 with two runs and freshman outfielder Tate Peterson (Grandville/Grandville High School) went 1-2.
Game 2: KCC 4, MCC 3
Freshman pitcher Ryan Vought (Battle Creek/Pennfield High School) pitched 3.1 innings for the win in game two, striking out six. Sophomore Connor Brawley (Dowagiac/Lakeshore High School) pitched one inning for the save, striking out two.
At the plate for the Bruins in game two, Peterson went 2-2 including an RBI, Hnilo went 1-2 and freshman infielder Justin Ratliff (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School) went 1-3.
Up Next
With Friday’s wins, KCC heads into the postseason with a 19-7 conference record and a 29-9 record for the season overall. Postseason play begins Thursday, May 13, with the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII Tournament at dates and times to be announced.
For more information about KCC’s baseball team, including a full schedule, roster and links to official team and player photos available for download by fans and the press, visit www.kellogg.edu/baseball.
Head KCC Baseball Coach Eric Laskovy can be reached at laskovye@kellogg.edu or 269-965-3931 ext. 2536.