Baseball: Trine sweeps Olivet, 3-1 and 5-4

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College baseball team dropped both games of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader against Trine (Ind.) University this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Thunder won the first game, 3-1, in nine innings before winning the nightcap, 5-4.

In game one, both teams scored unearned runs – Olivet in the fourth inning and Trine in the sixth inning – to send the game to extra frames. Both teams left two runners stranded on the bases in the eighth inning. The Thunder scored twice in the top half of the ninth and retired the Comets 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the inning.

The final stat line was equal, as each team collected 10 base hits. Seniors Beau Langs and Drew Thompson had three hits apiece, while junior Stephen Botti and sophomore Andrew Dayfield had two each. Junior Colin Boak started on the mound, but did not factor in the decision after giving up four hits in five innings. In relief, senior Jonny Zawacki was charged with the loss after allowing the three runs on five hits in three and one-third innings.

In the nightcap, Trine took a 1-0 lead with a run in the first inning. The Comets did all of their damage in the home half of the second inning, as they plated four runs on five hits. Langs, Thompson and Botti drove in runs in the inning.

The Thunder answered with three runs in the top half of the third to tie the game at 4-4. A bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning brought in what proved to be the game-winning run. Olivet left the tying run stranded in scoring position in the fifth and sixth innings.

The Comets finished the game with seven hits, including a 3-for-3 performance by sophomore Austin Cleaver. Four others had one hit apiece, with Thompson having the only extra base hit – an RBI-double. Freshman Aiden Holliday was the starting pitcher and gave up one earned run on three hits in two and two-thirds innings. Junior Jared Scheese was tagged with the loss after surrendering the winning run. Junior Ryan Roeske threw an inning of scoreless relief.

The Comets and Thunder will finish the four-game MIAA series tomorrow with two games at Jannen Field in Angola, Indiana, and beginning at 1 p.m.