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Kellogg Community College baseball team has achieved a historic milestone by being ranked No. 1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll for the first time ever. Head coach Eric Laskovy expressed pride in this achievement as they prepare for the upcoming World Series.
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BATTLE CREEK - The goal is to be the No. 1 team in the country.... on the baseball diamond.
But, until Kellogg Community College will get a chance to achieve that status at the World Series later in the season, the Bruins will have to settle on being the top team in the country on paper.
In the final rankings of the season, KCC is ranked No. 1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II baseball poll.
It is a first for the perennial power.
"That's the first time we've been that high. We've been ranked three, four, five. But, we've never been ranked No. 1," said KCC head coach Eric Laskovy.
MORE: Kellogg CC baseball continues to dominate in the postseason
Kellogg players celebrate a home run by sophomore Jake Stickler during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Caleb Kidd pitches during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Tylor Morehouse reaches first base during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg Community College baseball achieved the No. 1 ranking in the final rankings of the season.
Kellogg Community College baseball is ranked No. 1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II.
The head coach of Kellogg Community College baseball is Eric Laskovy.
The No. 1 ranking signifies a historic achievement for Kellogg Community College baseball, marking the first time they have reached this position.
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Kellogg sophomore Payton Bookwalter scores a home run during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg freshman Cayden Nieto hits the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Caleb Kidd pitches during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Cayden Nieto catches a pitch during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg players celebrate in the dugout during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Ricky Hamm throws the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Tylor Morehouse catches the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Gavin Engelsman rounds third base during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Daniel Calhoun runs for second base during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Jake Stickler hits the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Jake Kucharczyk throws the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Gavin Engelsman throws to sophomore Jake Stickler during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg players return to the dugout during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Jake Stickler throws the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Kellogg sophomore Jake Kucharczyk steps up to bat during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg players celebrate a home run by sophomore Jake Stickler during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg players celebrate a home run by sophomore Jake Stickler during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Caleb Kidd pitches during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Tylor Morehouse reaches first base during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Payton Bookwalter scores a home run during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg freshman Cayden Nieto hits the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Caleb Kidd pitches during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Cayden Nieto catches a pitch during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg players celebrate in the dugout during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Ricky Hamm throws the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Tylor Morehouse catches the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Gavin Engelsman rounds third base during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Daniel Calhoun runs for second base during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Jake Stickler hits the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Jake Kucharczyk throws the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Gavin Engelsman throws to sophomore Jake Stickler during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg players return to the dugout during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Jake Stickler throws the ball during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Kellogg sophomore Jake Kucharczyk steps up to bat during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
KCC, at 45-6, received all 10 first-place votes in the poll to take over the top spot. Pearl River Community College was No. 1 last week and East Central Community College was No. 2. The Bruins jumped from No. 3 to No. 1 after both of those teams lost in the postseason.
"A couple of huge upsets in their tournaments for those teams. That's what put us up to No. 1," Laskovy said.
Those teams losing was one reason, but the new ranking also has something to do with KCC winning 41 of its last 42 games.
"The guys worked hard for this and they have earned it," Laskovy said. "It's nice for the program. A milestone for the program.
"But, it doesn't mean anything. We have to keep playing, keep winning games and continue the process. We have to keep advancing in the tournament and that ranking doesn't help with any of that. We have to do that ourselves."
Kellogg players return to the dugout during a game against Kalamazoo Valley at C.O. Brown Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
KCC is next in action in the championship round of the Region XII Tournament in Jackson on Thursday, May 14.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Kellogg Community College ranked No. 1 in baseball in NJCAA