Baseball team beats Finlandia, 10-3

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Olivet College baseball team pounded out 13 hits, including two each for six different players, to beat non-conference foe Finlandia University, 10-3, this evening at the Gene Cusic Classic and on Connie Mack Field in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Comets scored their first run in the bottom half of the first inning. After two outs were recorded, juniors Austin Cleaver and Bryan Reed hit back-to-back doubles. Olivet added another run in the third inning. Cleaver hit a single, advanced to third on a double by Reed and crossed the plate on senior Stephen Botti's sacrifice fly. The Lions tied the game with a two-run fourth inning.

The Comets scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning without getting a base hit. Senior Jimmy Schoof led off with a walk. Cleaver's batted ball went through the legs of the third baseman for an error, and then the ball was misplayed by the left fielder. Shoof scored on the two errors, and Cleaver ended up on third base. Reed grounded out to bring home Cleaver with the second run.

Olivet plated another run in the sixth inning to go up 5-2. Junior Brady Johnson walked to lead off the inning, stole second and third bases and came around to score on a sharply hit single to right-center field by sophomore Luke Spotts.

The Comets added two more runs in the seventh inning. Junior Andrew Dayfield and freshman Chase Cook hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, and Johnson walked to load the bases. A wild pitch plated Dayfield and a single by Spotts scored Cook.

Finlandia scored a run in the top half of the eighth. Olivet countered in the bottom half of the inning with its final three runs. Botti and Dayfield both hit singles, and then came around to score on a triple deep by Cook. Johnson drove home Cook with an RBI-single. 

At the plate, Spotts, Cleaver, Reed, Dayfield, Cook and Johnson each had two hits. Sophomore Nick Jones walked in two of his four plate appearances, and Johnson also drew two walks. Cleaver scored a team-best three runs.

Sophomore Aiden Holliday earned the pitching win after throwing the first five innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, while striking out six. Senior Ryan Roeske gave up an earned run on four hits and struck out five in three innings of relief. Botti pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Olivet continues play in the Sunshine state tomorrow morning with a 9 a.m. game against Hiram (Ohio) College. The game will be played at Terry Park in Fort Myers.