PASADENA (Feb. 27, 2020) – A mammoth five-run seventh inning propelled the Caltech baseball team to a second-straight victory, this time over Kalamazoo College on home confines.

The Beavers and Hornets played tight for the majority of the contest thanks to some solid starting pitching. Sophomore Ryan Ruscansky (Annandale, N.J. / North Hunterdon) put the Beavers in a spot to succeed and scattered seven hits over six innings. All the while, the Caltech offense matched Kalamazoo's pace, which was made all the more impressive given the Hornets' 18-run effort at Whittier the day before. Junior first baseman Mitchell Watson (Windsor, Colo. / Windsor) had the first base knock of what went on to be a huge game in the fifth-inning, doubling into left field to score senior Cortland Perry (New York, N.Y. / The Dalton School) and sophomore Matthew Szedlock (Westminster, Md. / Gerstell Academy).

Freshman right-hander Pierce Governale (Tampa, Fla. / Berkeley Preparatory School) set up the big seventh inning by relieving Ruscansky and pitching a scoreless seventh. Perry led off the bottom of the inning with his third and final hit of a 3-for-3 day and quickly crossed home plate thanks 'Moose' Watson's third home run of the season. Caltech's ensuing hitters were not done, however. Freshman outfielder Jack Warren (Foster City, Calif. / San Mateo) followed up Watson's two-run blast with a single through the left side, and later hits from sophomore catcher Dawson Beutler (Omaha, Neb. / Millard West) and freshman infielder Darren Rhodes (Waco, Texas / Midway) helped carry the Beavers to three more runs before ending the inning. Perry then came into pitch from shortstop and recorded a two-inning save, his first of the season while securing the first hold of the season for Governale. Watson, meanwhile finished the game with three hits and four RBI's, coming just a triple away from hitting for the cycle.

"I'm just so proud of our grit, determination, and growth over the last two weeks," Head Coach Kevin Whitehead said. "I am looking forward to us playing clean defense through an entire game, doubleheader, and series, and we'll have a chance to prove it tomorrow."

Whitehead and the Beavers will be back in action on Leap Day to host the Hornets for a Saturday doubleheader, beginning at 11 a.m. They will be looking to win their first series of the young season.

Follow and show support for your Caltech Beavers on Twitter (@CaltechBeavers), Facebook, YouTube and Instagram!