Baseball team drops 6-2 decision at Davenport

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Olivet College baseball team took a break from conference play and fell to Davenport University, 6-2, tonight at the Farmers Athletic Complex in Grand Rapids.

The Comets took advantage of two Panther errors to plate an unearned run in the top half of the first inning. Senior Joel Peters (Troy/Avondale) reached on a throwing error, stole second base, and scored on an RBI-single by junior Peter Panos (Davison).

Davenport answered with a three spot in the home half of the first inning. The first run came in on a wild pitcher and the second and third runs were both scored on sacrifice fly. The Panthers stretched their lead to 5-0 with a pair of runs in the fourth inning.

Olivet got one run back in the sixth inning. Junior Drew Thompson (Canton/Salem) deposited the first pitch he saw in to left-center field for a leadoff triple. After an out was recorded, freshman Christopher Lanyi (Clio) grounded out to first base to drive in Thompson. The Panthers scored their final run in the seventh inning.

At the plate, the Comets out-hit Davenport, 7-6. Panos and junior Tom Kort (New Hudson/South Lyon) each went 2-for-4. The other hits were Thompson's triple, and singles by sophomore Stephen Botti (Decatur) and senior Andrew Engle (Greenville).

Botti started on the mound and threw three innings, allowing three runs on two hits to be charged with the loss. Senior Jake Ball (Cadillac) gave up an earned run on two hits in an inning of relief. Five other relievers combined to surrender one run on two hits over the final four innings.

Olivet will now focus on its next four-game MIAA series against Albion College. The Comets will host the Britons for the first two games Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The series then moves to Frank Joranko Field in Albion for the final two games next Monday, April 28, at 2 p.m.