Baseball announces 2009 Team Awards
The Kalamazoo College baseball team voted on team awards at their end-of-season gathering on Monday, May 11. Award winners were as follows:

Team MVP: Ryan Benjamin, senior catcher
Most Improved Player: Taylor Fodor, senior outfielder & David Oliphant, sophomore pitcher
Hornet Hustle Award: Eddie Barclay, senior second baseman
Rookie of the Year: Mike McCann, freshman infielder
Captains for 2009-10: Ben Schroeder, Brandon Luczak, Brian Barkley, Tim Lynch

Ryan Benjamin earns All-MIAA first team honors
Ryan Benjamin, a senior catcher from Lisle, Ill. (Benet Academy), has been selected to the All-MIAA First Team for the second straight year. Benjamin hit .362 in league play while starting all 28 games behind the plate. He had 34 hits in 94 at-bats with eight doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs. Overall this season, Benjamin hit .367 with 44 hits in 120 at-bats with 10 doubles, three home runs and 25 RBIs. Benjamin set Kalamazoo College career records for hits (168), doubles (40), RBIs (122) and games played (146).

Baseball season ends with losses at Trine
The baseball season came to an end with a pair of losses at Trine on Sunday, May 10. Kalamazoo lost the opener, 6-1, after being outhit, 10-7. Ryan Benjamin was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Jake Hansen drove in the only run. Trine pounded out 17 hits in the second came for a 12-1 win. Kalamazoo had four hits, including a double and RBI by Steve Charon. Game One - Game Two

Baseball suffers extra-inning loss to Trine
The baseball team lost a pair of games to Trine on Friday, May 8, including an extra-inning, one-run loss in the second game. Kalamazoo led 5-3 going into the seventh, but the visiting Thunder tied the game with a two-run home run. Kalamazoo failed to score in the bottom half which sent the game to extra innings. Trine score a run in the eight, but Kalamazoo tied it up with a home run by Ryan Benjamin. Trine put another run up in the ninth to take a 7-6 lead. Kalamazoo loaded the bases in the bottom half, but a 4-6-3 double play ended the comeback effort. Trine had 14 hits in the game to Kalamazoo's 10. Ryan Benjamin, Jake Hansen and Mike McCann each had two hits. Trine won the opening game, 8-5. The two teams traded leads in the first three innings, but Trine led 6-4 after three innings and held on for the 8-5 win. The Thunder had 12 hits to Kalamazoo's six. Ryan Benjamin had two hits in the game. Brian Barkley drove in two runs. Jake Hansen scored twice. Kalamazoo wraps up the 2009 season with a doubleheader on Sunday at Trine. Game One - Game Two

Baseball drops doubleheader to Hope
The baseball team lost a pair of games to Hope on Saturday, May 3. Kalamazoo lost the opener, 7-5. Hope led 5-2 after two innings, but Kalamazoo was able to cut the lead to 6-5 at the end of the sixth. Hope added one in the seventh and held Kalamazoo scoreless to end the game. Each team had ten hits in the game, but Kalamazoo left nine runners on base. Ryan Benjamin was 3-for-4. Eddie Barclay was 2-for-2. Brian Barkley was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Hope won the second game, 14-3, with 19 hits to Kalamazoo's five. Tim Lynch was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Josh Wahlstrom hit a home run to lead off the second inning. Kalamazoo hosts Trine in a doubleheader on Friday, May 8, beginning at 2 p.m. Game One - Game Two

Saturday Baseball in Kalamazoo
Saturday's baseball doubleheader with Hope College will be played in Kalamazoo. The games are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. However, the pre-game picnic has been cancelled.

Baseball splits Friday doubleheader at Hope
After dropping the first game, 3-2, Kalamazoo came back with a 6-1 win in the second game. Hope led 3-0 after two innings in the opener. Kalamazoo scored two in the third, but neither team would score the rest of the way. Hope had five hits to Kalamazoo's four. The Hornets had two errors which led to two unearned runs. Ryan Benjamin was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. In the second game, Kalamazoo scored four runs in the second inning, one in the third and one in the seventh. Dave Oliphant earned the complete game win on the mound, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six and walking none. Kalamazoo had nine hits in the game. David Kamerman was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Ryan Benjamin was 2-for-4 with a double. The two teams are scheduled to finish the series with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. Game One - Game Two

Baseball splits one-run games with Alma
The baseball team split a pair of one-run games with visiting Alma on Wednesday, April 29. The first game was the completion of the game that started on Saturday, April 25, and was halted due to rain in the fifth inning with Alma up, 3-2. Upon resuming the game, Kalamazoo tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth, but Alma scored the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh after the Hornets committed two errors. Kalamazoo was retired in the bottom of the inning giving Alma the 4-3 win. Kalamazoo had eight hits in the complete game while Alma had six hits. Kalamazoo came back to win the second game, 2-1. The Hornets scored in the first inning with the aid of two hit-batters, a walk and a wild pitch. Alma tied the game in the sixth inning, but Kalamazoo came back with a run in the bottom half to regain the lead when Taylor Fodor singled home Brian Barkley from second. Tommy Carion earned the complete game win, allowing just four hits while striking out three and walking two. Kalamazoo had three hits in the game. The Hornets resume MIAA play with a doubleheader at Hope on Friday. Game One - Game Two

Baseball games on hold due to rain
The baseball doubleheader with Alma on Saturday, April 25 was put on hold due to excessive rain. Alma leads 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth in the first game. That game will be resumed at a later date along with the final game of the series. The games will not be played Sunday, but will hopefully be played early in the week, weather permitting.

Baseball falls in extra innings at Alma
The baseball team lost the opening game of a doubleheader 8-7 in eight innings at Alma on Friday, April 24. Kalamazoo went up 6-4 in the top of the seventh, only to see Alma come back with two runs in the bottom half. The Hornets pushed a go-ahead run across in the top of the eighth to lead 7-6, but Alma battled back and scored the game-winning run with a two-out double in the bottom of the eighth. Kalamazoo had 12 hits while Alma had 11, but the Hornets left 10 runners on base compared to six for the Scots. Ryan Benjamin, Jake Hansen and Taylor Fodor each had two hits in the game. Mike McCann was 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Larry Briski hit a two-run home run to center in the top of the second inning. Alma won the second game, 23-10. Kalamazoo jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Alma came right back with six runs in the bottom half. Alma led 8-4 after three innings, but the Hornets scored five in the fourth to regain the lead, 9-8. The Scots again came right back again and put nine runs on the board to take a 17-9 lead after four. Alma added six runs in the sixth while the Hornets scored once in the seventh. Alma had 19 hits in the game while Kalamazoo had 14. Mike McCann was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Ryan Benjamin, Larry Briski and Tim Lynch each had two hits. Briski hit a home run in the top of the first inning. The two teams are scheduled to wrap up the series with a doubleheader in Kalamazoo on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Game One - Game Two

Baseball drops two on Sunday
A day after sweeping a doubleheader at Albion, the visiting Britons returned the favor at Kalamazoo's Woodworth Field. Albion won the opener, 5-1. Albion had eight hits to Kalamazoo's five, and the Britons took advantage of four Kalamazoo errors in the game. The Hornets sent the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but failed to push any more runs across. Brian Barkley was 2-for-3 with a double. Mike McCann drove in the Hornets' only run. Albion scored six unearned runs in an 8-1 win in the second game. Albion had 12 hits, all singles, and had the help of six Kalamazoo errors. The Hornets were limited to just three hits. Drew Ordakowski was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Kalamazoo returns to action on Friday, April 24 at Alma. Game One - Game Two

Baseball takes two at Albion
The baseball team swept a doubleheader at Albion on Saturday, April 18, winning 15-2 and 4-1. Kalamazoo scored 15 runs on 12 hits and took advantage of five Briton errors in the opener. Brian Barkley was 3-for-5 with four runs scored. Taylor Fodor, Brandon Luczak and Brian Barclay each had a pair of hits. Ryan Benjamin hit a three-run home run to cap off a seven-run second inning. Ben Schroeder earned the win on the mound, allowing just two runs on three hits in seven innings of work while overcoming seven Kalamazoo errors. In the second game, Dave Oliphant gave up just one run on five hits while striking out three for his second win of the season. Kalamazoo had eight hits, including a home run by Tim Lynch. Taylor Fodor, Ryan Benjamin and Brian Barkley each had a pair of hits. The two teams are scheduled to finish the series with a doubleheader in Kalamazoo starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Game One - Game Two

Baseball loses home-openers to Olivet
The baseball team played its home-opener on Saturday, but dropped both games of a doubleheader with Olivet. The Hornets took a 6-4 lead into the seventh inning of the opener, but Olivet scored six runs in the top half on their way to a 10-6 win. Kalamazoo had 10 hits in the game to Olivet's nine. Eddie Barclay and Taylor Fodor each had a pair of hits. Olivet scored six runs in the first three innings of the second game en route to an 8-1 win. The Comets only had four hits in the game, but took advantage of eight walks and five Kalamazoo errors. Kalamazoo had five hits in the game, including a double by Larry Briski. Kalamazoo returns to action next Saturday, April 18 at Albion. Game One - Game Two

Baseball falls at Olivet
The baseball team dropped a pair of games at Olivet on Friday, April 10 by scores of 9-5 and 2-1. Kalamazoo had a 5-2 lead in the opener until Olivet scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the 9-5 lead and eventual final score. Each team had 12 hits in the game, but the Comets took advantage of four Kalamazoo errors. Jake Hansen was 3-for-4 to lead Kalamazoo offensively. Eddie Barclay, Ryan Benjamin, David Kamerman and Tim Lynch each had two hits. Kalamazoo dropped the second game 2-1 and were held without a hit. The Hornets were walked four times and Kamerman scored the Hornets' only run. Dave Oliphant took the loss on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits. The teams return to action with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Kalamazoo. Game One - Game Two

2009 Baseball Alumni Day Saturday, May 2
Baseball Alumni, plan on attending a pre-game picnic and enjoy a doubleheader against Hope on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Although there is no charge for this event, reservations are required. Recognition of Baseball Alumni and Current Seniors will occur between games. Please RSVP by Friday, April 24, to Ksenija Broks at 269-337-7300 or kbroks@kzoo.edu

Baseball drops two games at Adrian; Benjamin sets career hits record
The baseball team lost a pair of games at Adrian on Saturday, April 4. Originally scheduled to be played in Kalamazoo, the games had to be moved to Adrian due to wet field conditions in Kalamazoo. Adrian scored eight runs on eight hits in the opener to win 8-1. The Hornets had five hits in the game and were led by Ryan Benjamin's 2-for-3 effort. The host Bulldogs had 19 hits in a 15-1 win in the second game. Kalamazoo had eight hits as Benjamin again went 2-for-3. With four hits on the day, senior Ryan Benjamin broke the school record for hits in a career (144). The previous mark of 143 was held by Jeff Leone '08. Kalamazoo's next games are at Olivet on Friday, April 10 at 2 p.m. The upcoming series with Finlandia has been cancelled due to the serious threat of inclement weather. Game One - Game Two

Saturday Baseball moved to Adrian
Saturday's Baseball doubleheader has been moved to Adrian College's field due to poor field conditions in Kalamazoo. The start time remains 1 p.m.

Baseball suffers losses at Adrian
The baseball team suffered a pair of losses at Adrian on Thursday, April 2. The host Bulldogs pounded out 19 hits in a 20-2 win in the opener and took advantage of a 10-run second inning. Kalamazoo had five hits in the game, including two apiece from Eddie Barclay and Brian Barkley. Adrian won the second game, 8-2, after scoring five runs in the first inning. The Bulldogs had just six hits in the game, but took advantage of four walks and four hit-batters. Kalamazoo had eight hits in the game. Ryan Benjamin and Jake Hansen were each 2-for-3. The series wraps up with a doubleheader in Kalamazoo beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Game One - Game Two

Baseball takes series finale from Calvin
The final two games of the baseball series with Calvin were moved back to Grand Rapids on Monday, March 30 due to wet fields in Kalamazoo. After dropping the opener 13-1, Kalamazoo came back to win the final game of the series in dramatic fashion, 10-9. The Hornets broke a 4-4 tie with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with a Mike McCann two-run double and a three-run home run by Ryan Benjamin. The Knights wouldn't fade away, however, and scored five runs (three unearned) in the top of the seventh to tie the game, 9-9. David Kamerman reached first base on a bunt single in the bottom half and advanced to second by Eddie Barclay's walk. Following a pitching change, pinch-hitter Jake Hansen hit a single through the right side to drive in Kamerman for the game-winning run. Mike McCann was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Ryan Benjamin was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Eddie Barclay was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Brandon Luczak earned the win on the mound, as just three of the nine runs allowed were earned. In the first game, Kalamazoo took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Calvin took advantage of two walks and three errors in the top of the fifth to push across 10 runs en route to the 13-1 win. Eight of Calvin's runs were unearned. Kalamazoo left the bases loaded in the first and runners on second and third in the second. Kalamazoo returns to action on Thursday, April 2 with a doubleheader at Adrian beginning at 2 p.m. Game One - Game Two

Monday Baseball Moved to Calvin
Weather permitting, Monday's baseball doubleheader will be played at Calvin beginning at 2 p.m. The location change is necessary due to unplayable conditions in Kalamazoo.

Baseball falls at Calvin in MIAA openers
The baseball team lost a pair of games to open up the MIAA season at Calvin on Saturday, March 28. Kalamazoo had just two hits and made three errors in the opening 6-0 loss. Kalamazoo battled back in the second game, but fell 4-3 after leading 3-2 after the second inning. The Hornets had six hits in the game. Eddie Barclay, David Kamerman and Tim Lynch each had an RBI. The Hornets resume the series with Calvin at home on Monday at 2 p.m. Game One - Game Two

Baseball falls twice to Hamilton
The baseball team dropped two games to Hamilton (N.Y.) on the final day of the team's spring trip in Auburndale, Fla. on Wednesday, March 25. In the opener, Kalamazoo scored four runs in the top of the seventh to tie the score 8-8. Hamilton pushed the game-winning run across in the bottom half with a bases-loaded hit-batter. Larry Briski and Taylor Fodor each had two hits. Kalamazoo suffered a 4-1 loss in the second game. Jake Hansen and Taylor Fodor were each 2-for-3. Kalamazoo returns home and opens MIAA play at Calvin on Saturday, March 28. Game One - Game Two

Baseball drops two to St. Olaf
The baseball team lost a pair of games to St. Olaf College on Tuesday, March 24 in Winter Haven, Fla. The opener was tied 2-2 after four innings, but the Oles put up 11 runs over the final three innings to win 13-5. St. Olaf had nine hits for the game and took advantage of 11 walks and a hit-batter. Kalamazoo had seven hits, including two apiece by Ryan Benjamin, Jake Hansen and Brian Barkley. St. Olaf jumped out to an early lead in the second game with seven runs in the first inning. Kalamazoo cut the lead to 8-5, but the Oles scored five more in the fifth en route to a 13-8 win. Larry Briski homered twice and had three RBIs. Taylor Fodor was 3-for-4. Eddie Barclay had a pair of hits and Mike Murray had a pinch-hit home run. Kalamazoo wraps up its spring trip with a doubleheader against Hamilton (N.Y.) on Wednesday. Game One - Game Two

Baseball takes two from D'Youville
The baseball team won both games of a doubleheader against D'Youville College (N.Y.) on Saturday, March 21 in Winter Haven, Fla. Kalamazoo won the opener, 20-4, and followed with an 8-4 win in the second game. Kalamazoo scored 20 runs on 20 hits in the opener. Ryan Benjamin, Drew Ordakowski, Brian Barclay and Tim Lynch each had three hits. Dave Oliphant earned the win on the mound, scattering four hits over five innings. Tommy Carion earned the win in game two, allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings of work. Nick Jones earned the save, entering the game with a 5-4 lead in the fifth and holding the Spartans scoreless over 2 2/3 innings. Taylor Fodor had two hits and scored two runs. Kalamazoo returns to action on Tuesday with a doubleheader against St. Olaf. Game One - Game Two

Baseball splits season-opening series with Millikin
The Kalamazoo College baseball team split its season-opening doubleheader with Millikin University (Ill.) on Friday, March 21 in Auburndale, Fla. In the Hornets' opener, Millikin scored in five-of-six innings en route to a 12-1 win. The Big Blue had 11 hits while limiting the Hornets to just four. David Kamerman had a triple and scored the only run for Kalamazoo. In the second game, Kalamazoo overcame an early deficit and rallied for a 5-3 win. Millikin scored two runs in the first and another in the third to take a 3-0 lead. Kalamazoo picked up one in the fourth and rallied for four runs in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Ben Schroeder earned the win on the mound, scattering nine hits over five innings. Zac Pitones picked up the save, retiring all six batters he faced. Kalamazoo had eight hits, including two apiece from Eddie Barclay, Jake Hansen and Ryan Benjamin. Kalamazoo (1-1) returns to action at 1:15 p.m. on Friday with a doubleheader against D'Youville College (N.Y.). Game One - Game Two

2009 Baseball Season Preview
by Jessica Maas '10
Consistency is key for the 2009 baseball squad.

With 34 guys on the roster, 20 of whom are freshmen, the team has the players to compete; they just have to prove they can.

“We could play with anybody,” said third-year Head Coach Matt Rix, “it’s just a matter of doing it.”

The increase in players will be instrumental for a team that lost a lot of close games last year.

“At every position there’s competition now,” said Rix. “It’s going to help us out a lot in preparation for games.”

Senior Ryan Benjamin returns to the team as an All-MIAA First-Team selection last season and junior Brandon Luczak returns after earning All-MIAA Second-Team honors. Benjamin led the team with a .380 batting average and 35 RBIs, while Luczak was second with a .369 average and 18 RBIs. Luczak also led all Kalamazoo starters with a 4.39 earned run average last year.

Juniors Brian Barkley and Larry Briski also return to impact the offense. Barkley posted a .348 batting average and 13 RBIs. Briski hit .309 with 15 RBIs. Ben Schroeder returns for his junior season on the mound after posting a 4.50 ERA last year.

Benjamin, Luczak, Fodor, and senior Eddie Barclay will lead this year’s team as captains, and Rix said they’re doing a great job combining the upper and lower classes so far.

“They have a really important role to play,” he said, pointing to the need to make 20 new guys part of the squad. “They’ve really melded together.”

The squad will begin its competition on their spring break trip to the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. Conference play will begin for the Hornets at Calvin on March 28.

“It would be nice to break the 20-win mark,” said Rix. “And be consistent. If we can do that, it should be a good year.”

Nine baseball players make MIAA Academic Honor Roll
Nine members of the 2008 Kalamazoo College baseball team were recognized on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll for achieving a minimum 3.5 GPA for the entire 2007-08 academic year: Brian Barkley, Dan Barkley, Larry Briski, Taylor Fodor, Brandon Luczak, Ben Schroeder, Kyle Thomas, Josh Wahlstrom and Justin Warner. In addition, the team had a cumulative GPA of just under 3.3 for the entire year.

Baseball announces 2008 Team Awards
The Kalamazoo College baseball team voted on team awards at their end-of-season gathering on Monday, May 12. Award winners were as follows:

Team MVP: Ryan Benjamin, junior catcher
Most Improved Player: Brian Barkley, sophomore outfielder
Rookie of the Year: David Oliphant, freshman pitcher
Hornet Hustle Award: Dan Barkley, senior infielder/outfielder
Captains for 2008-09: Ryan Benjamin, Eddie Barclay, Brandon Luczak, Taylor Fodor

Luczak, Briski earn Academic All-District honors
Brandon Luczak and Larry Briski have been selected to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV baseball second team. Luczak, a sophomore from Rochester Hills (Rochester HS), split time among first base, shortstop, pitcher and designated hitter and was selected as an infielder. He had a .369 average with 31 hits in 84 at-bats this season with four doubles, one home run and 18 RBIs. As a pitcher, Luczak was 3-5 with two saves in 11 appearances with a 4.39 earned run average. Luczak maintains a 3.74 grade point average as a chemistry major. Briski split time among designated hitter and first base and was selected to the team as a designated hitter. The sophomore from Grosse Pointe Woods (Grosse Pointe North) hit .306 with 22 hits in 72 at-bats with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 15 RBIs. Briski carries a 4.0 grade point average as a chemistry major. To be nominated for Academic All-District/All-American honors, a player must be of at least sophomore status and have a minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA. Nominations are voted upon by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) members in each district. Academic All-District Baseball Teams (PDF)

Benjamin, Luczak earn All-MIAA baseball honors
Two Kalamazoo College baseball players earned All-MIAA honors for the 2008 season. Ryan Benjamin, a junior from Lisle, Ill. (Benet Academy), was selected as the All-MIAA First Team catcher. Benjamin hit .337 in league play with 30 hits in 89 at-bats. He had five doubles, two triples and three home runs while tying for fourth in the league with 26 RBIs. Behind the plate, Benjamin threw out a league-best 36 percent (16-44) of runners attempting to steal. Sophomore Brandon Luczak (Rochester Hills/Rochester) was selected as the All-MIAA Second Team Designated Hitter/Utility Player. Luczak split time as a starting pitcher, first baseman, shortstop and designated hitter. At the plate, Luczak hit .324 in league play with 24 hits in 74 at-bats with two doubles, one home run, 12 RBIs and 14 runs scored. Luczak made 10 appearances on the mound with four complete games in seven starts. He compiled a 2-5 record with two saves and a 4.74 ERA in league play. He ranked second in the league in innings pitched (49 1/3) and was sixth with 29 strikeouts (5.3/game).