The College of Marin Baseball team has had a very successful stretch over the past five years including three straight Bay Valley Conference Titles. The Mariners have turned out dozens of transfers to four year colleges over that time. Since 2012 five College of Marin Baseball pitchers have been selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur draft. Two of those players, Alec Kenilvort, and Tyler Ihrig are still enjoying their professional baseball careers.
Alec Kenilvort was a standout at College of Marin in the 2014 season posting a 7-4 record while striking out 85 batters with an ERA of 2.19 in 94.2 innings. He was named the Bay Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year while the Mariners won the Conference Title.
Kenilvort was drafted in the 15th round by the Colorado Rockies and joined the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League. Transitioning from a starting pitcher to a reliever in first year in the minors was a bit of a struggle, but Kenilvort did manage to strike out 20 batters in his first 20.1 professional innings. Kenilvort was promoted to the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League this year where he has fared better with a 1-2 record in 30.2 innings with 21 strikeouts.
College of Marin Baseball Coach Steve Berringer on Kenilvort: "Alec's time at College Of Marin he was always a leader, self-motivated driven competitor which he has carried on into the minors. Last year he earned the hardest working playing for the Rockies minor league system, which speaks to his dedication and work ethic, desire and drive to excel. I feel College of Marin and the baseball program developed a lot of those skills and has given him the opportunity to succeed in professional baseball"
Tyler Ihrig pitched for College of Marin in 2013 and was the closer for the Bay Valley Conference Champions. He struck out 45 batters in just 40 innings while allowing only seven earned runs good for an ERA of 1.58. He saved 18 games for the Mariners and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 23rd round of the 2013 draft.
Ihrig was immediately assigned in the Cubs Arizona Rookie League team where he struck out 30 batters in just 25 innings. In the 2014 season Ihrig made the transition to starter from reliever where he posted 7-3 record across all three levels of A ball. Ihrig demonstrated his pin point control walking just 14 batters in 83 innings while striking out 64 with an ERA of 4.01.
2015 has been a barnstorming season of sorts for Ihrig. He began the season competing for the South Bend Cubs the Midwest league before being promoted to AAA to start a game for the Iowa Cubs. He then moved to the AA Tennessee Smokies and made four appearances before being reassigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League. He pitched in five games before returning to South Bend for the month of July. Since August 2nd Ihrig is back with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Thus far he has pitched for four different teams with an ERA of 3.05 in 73.2 innings, while striking out 50 batters and walking only 17.
Steve Berringer on Ihrig: "Tyler while at College of Marin had a record setting season, the current saves record and has demonstrated resiliency as his minor league career has taken off. I have not heard of many minor leaguers having played at every minor league level in one season which Tyler has done this year. I am truly proud of Tyler's commitment, dedication and work ethic to his craft and believe that with his heard and desire he has a legitimate shot at making it to the big leagues."
While the College of Marin Baseball team strives for a fourth straight title, Ihrig and Kenilvort look to finish out a strong 2015 season.