Baseball team takes two at Trine, 1-0 and 7-5

ANGOLA, Ind. – The Olivet College baseball team won both games of a doubleheader from Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Trine (Ind.) University today at Jannen Field in Angola, Ind. Behind a complete game, four-hitter from senior Jake Ball (Cadillac) and a two-out RBI-single by junior Peter Panos (Davison), the Comets won the first game, 1-0. Olivet then pounded out 11 hits to win the nightcap, 7-5.

The opener was a pitcher's duel. Each was able to escape damage in the first five innings, as the defenses were able to turn double plays with runners on base. The Comets broke through in the sixth inning. Senior Dylan Betcher (Lansing/Everett) led off with an infield single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior Drew Thompson (Canton/Salem), went to third on a ground out and scored on Panos' two-out single to left field.

The Thunder had the tying run in scoring position with only one out in the bottom half of the sixth. Ball got out of the jam with a strikeout looking and a fly out to Betcher in center field. Trine also had the tying run on base in the seventh but a caught stealing and strikeout ended the game.

For the game, Olivet collected eight hits, with Betcher and junior Beau Langs (Climax/Climax-Scotts) each going 2-for-4. The lone extra base hit in the game was a double by senior Andrew Engle (Greenville). On the mound, Ball walked one and struck out in earning his second win of the season.

In the second game, the Comets scored three times in the second inning on RBI-singles by three different players – sophomore Stephen Botti (Decatur), Langs and freshman Austin Cleaver (St. Johns). Olivet pushed across their fourth run in the third inning on an RBI-ground out by junior Tom Kort (New Hudson/South Lyon). The Comets then took advantage of two errors by Trine to plate three runs, two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

The Thunder got two runs back in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to cut their deficit down to 7-5. With nobody out, Trine brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning, but a lineout double play and fly out squelched the rally.

At the plate, every Comet starter except one had at least one base hit. Kort and Langs both went 2-for-4, while freshman Chris Lanyi (Clio) was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Sophomore southpaw Colin Boak (Fowlerville) earned the pitching win after giving up five runs on 11 hits in five and one-third innings. Junior Collin McCririe (Brighton) got the final five outs to pick-up the save.

Olivet (7-16, 5-9 MIAA) and Trine (9-16, 4-10) will complete the four-game MIAA series tomorrow, with two games at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. First pitch from game is slated for 1 p.m.