Baseball team suffers 10-6 loss to KVCC

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

The LCC baseball team lost its eighth game of the season to the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougars on Monday, March 25, by a 10-6 score.

Despite the loss, LCC has won 10 of its last 12 games, making its overall record 13-8 and its conference record 2-1.

The Stars went down early in the game 6-1. In the fifth inning they made a push, scoring four runs. LCC scored another in the next inning, tying the game at 6-6.

The Cougars took the lead once again in the last three innings while keeping LCC from scoring another run.

Freshman pitcher Oliver Raczynski started the game for the Stars and pitched three innings. He struck out seven batters but allowed six hits, one being a home run. Sophomore Gavin Walters was brought in and pitched four innings, recording five strikeouts and allowing one hit. Sophomore Jeff Agar closed the game for LCC’s pitching staff, registering two strikeouts and giving up three hits.

Freshman Third baseman Kevin Davis led the Stars in hits with two and had one RBI. Freshman second baseman Aamir Mitchell hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning for LCC.

LCC freshman Conner Prahl said KVCC played a fundamentally sound game.

“They found ways to get runners on and move them into scoring position,” Prahl said. “They just kept the baseball moving offensively, battling in the box, getting into advantage counts and making our guys throw more pitches.”

After a loss, Prahl said all the Stars can do is bounce back, and there are things they do to make sure they do bounce back strong.

“Our team looks into what we need to work on the most,” Prahl said. “Putting in extra reps in the cage and on the field, before, during and after practice. Taking a loss isn’t easy, but we analyze what happened and respond to it accordingly.”

The Stars’ game scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 against Sienna Heights University was postponed to a later date. The next game on the schedule is on the road against Marian University Ancilla on Thursday, March 28.

LCC Coach Steve Cutter said with experience, the team will continue to step forward.

“We will highlight the importance of details and praising hard work in all areas,” Cutter said. “I firmly believe the setbacks of the season will continue to prepare this team for success at the end of the season.”