Baseball Team Earns Accolades

Several members of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s 2018 baseball team were recognized by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) for outstanding play in the Western Conference.

Power hitting, right-handed hitter and team captain Andrew Szalkowski, left-handed pitcher Jeff Burch and Trent Quartermaine, a left-handed hitter and right-handed pitcher were all named to the Second Team, All-Conference. Quartermaine also earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team.

Sophomore outfielder Kawambee Moss and catcher and team captain Austin Krzeminski earned Third Team All-Conference recognition.

Portage Central graduate and starting pitcher Austin Laurencig and Colton White, a sophomore corner infielder were named to the Honorable All-Conference team.

Athletic Director Russ Panico said he is proud of the baseball team and individual player accomplishments.

"Overall, it was a great year for Cougar Baseball,” Panico said. “The 2018 season was the team's best since 2012, which marked the final year for Head Coach Bernie Vallier due to retirement. Cody Piechocki took over after the 2012 season, and finishes his sixth year leading the Cougar baseball team. As head coach, he continues to build upon each season’s accomplishments and increase the Cougar’s respect and competitiveness in the league. I look forward to the 2019 season."

The Cougars finished the season in second place in the MCCAA Western Conference with a 17-7 record and an overall record of 24-19. They wrapped up their season last week - finishing fourth in the NJCAA Region 12 Tournament.