Baseball establishing competitive season

KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER

ADITYA HIREMATH
STAFF WRITER

4/7/2025

The Alma College Baseball team’s win-loss record is currently 12-14 overall and 4-3 in conference play after picking up two dubs against Hope College’s Flying Dutch at home on Saturday, April 5 and another win the day prior in extra innings played on the Dutch homefield.

So far, they have faced both challenging conference and non-conference teams but have established themselves as a solid competitor nonetheless.

Against Calvin University on April 1, Alma took an early lead thanks to some impressive plays made by senior Cameron Bleasdale. But, despite starting strong, they weren’t able to keep up with the Knights and ended up losing 6-3. 

On March 27, the Scots saw their first conference team of the season, Adrian College. They won 6-5 in their conference-opener at Klenk Park but lost both games to the Bulldogs at the away doubleheader on March 29, going 7-18 and 3-9.

Despite the losses, the team has seen no shortage of impressive accomplishments from its players on the individual level, like Tyler Johnson (‘25), the pitcher who set a new college record for career innings pitched by surpassing 237 innings. 

Another standout is Kyler Warren (‘25), the shortstop who broke the record for career triples at 10+. Warren was also named to D3 Baseballs Team of the Week in early March. 

On the coaching side, this year’s Scots helped head coach Jason Crain (‘95) earn 100 career wins during his time at Alma College, which began in 2018. 

However, the baseball program at Alma College focuses on more than just the outcomes of games. The team is built on strong communication, character and a sense of community, and that spirit is helping them navigate the tough challenges of the 2025 season. Crain attributes much of the team’s success to the close dynamic they’ve been able to create.

“When COVID hit, we weren’t able to spend time together, which really made it tough to create a sense of culture,” said Crain.

“I think we’re in a really good place. It’s all about figuring out the right mix and keeping on building… The most important quality we seek is excellent communication skills. That’s definitely the top priority above all else,” said Crain.

Outside of the field, the team is putting in the work in the classroom, and their GPA is at an all-time high. 

“The success we’ve achieved in our studies really shows how supportive our team culture is. We always help each other out, whether it’s during practice or outside of it and that’s just how we roll,” said Crain.

Additionally, the team is active in the Alma community and often collaborates with the Child Advocacy Center of Gratiot County, lending a hand with tasks like moving tables and supporting big events. 

“It really helps our team realize that there’s something bigger than themselves,” said Crain.

Every year, the organization talks to the team about its impact, helping players understand and appreciate the causes they support even more. This season, the Alma College baseball team is showing that success goes beyond just statistics, emphasizing effort, service and selflessness.

The Alma College baseball team is gearing up for their upcoming games with a lot of determination. This week, they have another opportunity to play against Calvin University, this time at home, on Tuesday, April 8. On Friday, April 11, they will face the Albion Britons for the first time at home, followed by a doubleheader at Albion on Saturday, April 12. The upcoming matchups give the team a chance to improve their conference standing and build on their recent performances.