BATTLE CREEK — Kellogg Community College is returning to the World Series for a third straight year. But this time, the Bruins are heading to Enid, Oklahoma as the No. 1 team in the country.
As the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series bracket was announced Tuesday, May 19, Kellogg CC learned it earned a bye in the first round and will play the winner of No. 8-seed South Mountain vs. No. 9-seed Parkland. The first round is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 in Enid, Oklahoma. KCC will play its first game at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.
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“This is three times in a row in the World Series. That’s the first time in program history. It is so cool to have an opportunity to play for a championship,” Kellogg CC head coach Eric Laskovy said. “It’s never easy to get out of a regional. But we accomplished that, earned a top seed. Now, we are excited to get to Enid and hopefully stay for awhile.”
In the last national poll of the season, KCC climbed to No. 1 in the country. The Bruins took that ranking into the postseason. KCC earned its spot in the national championship tournament with a 26-7 win over Cuyahoga Community College in the Region XII tourney final in Jackson.
KCC is 48-6 overall, having won 43 of the last 44 games played.
“This was a little different for us. To have a No. 1 national ranking for the first time, it was different heading into the region. But, this team trusts each other,” Laskovy said. “We wanted it so badly for these players, as a staff. For as much as they love each other, we wanted to spend more time with each other and fortunately, by winning, that did happen.”
Kellogg is making its 11th trip to the NJCAA World Series. It is the first time the program will be going in three consecutive seasons. The Bruins also went in 2019 and 2021, which was back-to-back championship tournaments with the 2020 championship being cancelled due to COVID.
“I think our experience will help. I think it matters,” Laskovy said. “Having guys who have been through this, they know what to expect. This is the most returning players we’ve ever had on a World Series team.”
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Who will No. 1 Kellogg CC play in NJCAA Division II World Series?
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
