Baseball team gains doubleheader split at Calvin

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the second straight day, the Olivet College baseball team has split a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with Calvin College. Playing at Calvin's home field, the Comets won the opener 4-2 before the Knights won the nightcap, 4-3.

In the opener, the Comets needed only one hit in the second inning to score two runs. Sophomore Tom Kort (South Lyon) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score junior Jonny Zawacki (Alpena), and then sophomore Beau Langs (Climax/Climax-Scotts) walked with the bases loaded to score sophomore Peter Panos (Davison).

Olivet added to its lead with an unearned tally in the sixth inning on Lang's RBI-single through the left side of the infield to score Panos. The Knights trimmed their deficit to one run, 3-2, with a pair of runs in the last half of the sixth.

The Comets added an insurance run in the top half of the seventh when junior Joel Peters (Auburn Hills/Avondale) hit a double to score senior Andrew Brawley (Niles). Calvin brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom half of the inning, but Olivet got out of the jam.

For the game, the Comets had only seven hits, including two for sophomore Joey Myers (Holt). Langs drove in two runs, while Panos scored twice. On the mound, freshman Colin Boak (Fowlerville) threw the first five and one-third innings to pick-up the win. He gave up just one earned run on four hits, with three strikeouts. Sophomore Collin McCririe (Brighton) pitched the last inning and two-thirds to earn the save.

In the nightcap, the Knights plated three runs in the home half of the first inning. Olivet quickly answered with three runs in its half of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Peters lined a single to score Myers, and then Panos doubled down the left field line to score junior Dylan Betcher (Lansing/Everett) and Zawacki.

Calvin scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the last half of the second. The Comets did not go down quietly, as they left nine batters stranded on the base paths over the last five innings. Olivet even had the bases loaded in the seventh with only one out, and failed to score.

The Comets recorded eight hits in the loss, led by two each for Peters and Zawacki. Senior pitcher Kyle Fisher (Vermontville/Maple Valley) was charged with the loss. He tossed all six innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.

The Comets continue MIAA play next Tuesday when they host Alma College. First pitch from game one of the doubleheader is 2 p.m.