LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kalamazoo College baseball team played the first game of the Derby City Classic against #21 North Central on Saturday afternoon (Mar. 4). The young Hornets were narrowly defeated by the nationally-ranked Cardinals 9-8.

North Central jumped out to a 6-0 lead within the first three innings, with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in the first, a double that scored two in the second, and a two-run home run in the third.

Kalamazoo began chipping away in the third with two runs. The bases were loaded to start the inning after David Stechow singled, Cooper Mills reached on an error, and Lukas Bolton singled. Then, bases loaded walks by Cam Kelly and Daniel Beccari brought the runners in to score.

The Cardinals gained those two runs back plus one in the sixth to take a seven-run advantage. Two doubles and a sacrifice fly were the scoring plays for North Central.

The Hornets had a big inning in the sixth to cut the deficit to three. Beccari opened the inning with a walk, and Tanner Hawkins reached on an infield single. After Stechow reached on a fielder's choice, he stole second and an errant throw allowed Beccari to score. Then, Mills walked and Bolton doubled to plate Stechow. Harrison Poeszat also doubled to bring in Bolton for the inning's final run.

Robert Newland and Beccari hit back-to-back singles to begin the seventh. Alex Fenkell then singled in Newland and Hawkins loaded the bases with yet another single. With one out, Mills lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in Beccari and get the Hornets within one.

Kalamazoo got a runner to second with two outs in the ninth. However, he was stranded as the Hornets dropped a close game to a formidable opponent.

Bolton, Newland, and Hawkins collected two hits apiece as six different Hornets collected an RBI. Mills drew three walks and Beccari was on base three times with a hit and two walks.

Brenden Oprinski (0-1) started on the hill for Kalamazoo and allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk in three innings. Chase Cummins was the first reliever, surrendering three runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Matt Butterly tossed an inning and a third of scoreless relief, and Joe Wade came in to get the final two outs.

With the schedule changes at the Derby City Classic due to power outages, Kalamazoo will now play Spalding tomorrow (Mar. 5) at 11 a.m.