Baseball team swept by Calvin, 13-9 and 7-5
The Olivet College baseball team was swept by Calvin College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) twinbill this afternoon at Calvin Field in Grand Rapids. The Knights won by scores of 13-9 and 7-5.
The Olivet College baseball team was swept by Calvin College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) twinbill this afternoon at Calvin Field in Grand Rapids. The Knights won by scores of 13-9 and 7-5.
After the two batters were called out on strikes to start the second inning of game one, Calvin pushed across six unearned runs. The Comets got two runs back in the third and then sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven times in the fourth inning. The Knights tied the game at 9-9, with three runs in the home half of the fourth. Three doubles in the fifth inning led to what proved to be the game-winning runs for Calvin. A bases loaded walk brought in an insurance run for the Knights in the sixth.
For the game, every Olivet starter reached base at least one time and eight of nine players scored a run. In addition, eight starters had at least one hit apiece. Senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) was 3-for-4 with three singles. Senior Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) had two hits, including a two-run double. Freshman Jacob Blamer (Newaygo) also collected two RBI, while junior Brad Sullens (Belleville) scored two runs.
On the mound, junior Erik McCloud (Holly) threw the first two innings but did not factor in the decision. Junior Josh Norlock (Warren/Centerline) was charged with the loss after giving up the go-ahead runs.
In the nightcap, Calvin scored two runs in the second, one run in the third and one in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. The Comets cut their deficit in half, 4-2, in the fifth on Hodge's second two-run double of the doubleheader. The Knights responded with two runs in their half of the fifth.
Olivet made it 6-3 with a run in the sixth when senior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Central) doubled to deep centerfield and scored on Purdy's single. Like the fifth, Calvin got the run back with a run in bottom half of the sixth to regain a four-run cushion, 7-3. The Comets did not go down without a fight in the seventh, scoring two runs and had the tying runs on base.
At the dish, Hodges went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single. Senior Rob Swanson (Marshall) recorded two hits. Five different Comets scored a run. On the mound, sophomore starter Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) suffered the loss. He allowed six runs (three earned) off nine hits.
Olivet will take a break from MIAA play Wednesday when it travels to play a nine-inning game at Oakland University. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. The Comets will then end their season next weekend with a four-game league series against Adrian College. A doubleheader will be played at Adrian's Nicolay Field Friday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m., followed by a doubleheader in Olivet Saturday at 1 p.m.