Spring into Valley Baseball, Softball Seasons on March 19

One sure sign that spring is here is the start of the 2024 baseball and softball season at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

The first official conference game for men's baseball will be home at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 versus Kellogg Community College. Admission is free to all home games. The Lady Cougars softball team's first conference game is away at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 at Marian University's Ancilla College in Plymouth, Indiana.

The softball season for the Lady Cougars team brims with promise and potential under the leadership of new Head Coach Lisa Karau and incoming Assistant Coach Amy Jo Tavernier. Building on past successes, the team is gearing up with determination and a renewed focus on excellence. With a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, players aim to solidify their standing as a powerhouse in the league.

"On offense, the team plans to capitalize on a diverse lineup, leveraging the strengths of individual players while prioritizing strategic gameplay," Karau said. "The focus lies in disciplined batting techniques, aiming for consistent contact and smart base running to apply pressure on opponents. Additionally, the ladies aim to emphasize situational hitting, executing well-timed bunts and productive at-bats to advance runners and secure scoring opportunities."

Defensively, communication among players will be key, ensuring seamless coordination to anticipate plays and minimize errors, Karau said. "Pitching strategies involve a mix of versatile pitches, tailored to keep opponents guessing and off-balance," she added. "Moreover, the team prioritizes solidifying their defense by focusing on quick reactions, strategic positioning and steadfast support for their pitchers."

Baseball team

The baseball team is coming off a 21-victory campaign in 2023. The 2024 team will have a balance of returners and newcomers in the lineup which bolds well for a run at the Conference Championship.

The returns are led by Carson Winans (left-handed pitcher), Garrett Swan (utility), Will Sachwitz (outfield) and Brendan Burch (left-handed pitcher). The 2024 recruiting class was a strong one for the Cougars led by transfers Kevin Krill (catcher), Will Lowery (right-handed pitcher) and Jacob Hyder (second base).

Other recruits include true freshman Caleb Estrada (shortstop) of Grand Ledge High School, and local standouts J.J. Manion (right-handed pitcher) of Kalamazoo Christian High School, Nate Long (right-handed pitcher) of Portage Central High School, Remi Hahn (right-handed pitcher) of Paw Paw High School, and Aiden Warn (first base) of Mattawan High School.

"I believe the strength of this team will be its pitching staff with the most depth I have seen since taking over the baseball program," said Head Coach Bennecke. "The coaching staff believes this 2024 team can be a special group of guys and will compete for a spot in the regionals this year."

Visit athletics.kvcc.edu for the full schedule and scores.