Baseball team loses twice at Albion, 11-2 and 17-7

ALBION, Mich. – The Olivet College baseball team dropped both games of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader against Albion College this afternoon at Frank Joranko Field in Albion. The Britons won by scores of 11-2 and 17-7.

In game one, the Comets used a two-out rally to push across a run in the top half of the first inning. Senior Jimmy Schoof walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a single by junior Austin Cleaver and crossed the plate on an RBI-single by junior Andrew Dayfield. In the home half of the first, the Britons came back with their own two-out rally to take a 3-1 lead on a three-run home run by Steven Marowski.

Albion scored eight runs over the next three innings for a commanding 11-1 advantage. Olivet scored its last run in the sixth inning. Cleaver led off the frame with a single, stole second base, went to third on a ground out and scored on an RBI-single by senior Zach Kitzmiller.

At the plate, the Comets scored their two runs on seven hits. Cleaver led the way with a pair of singles. The lone extra base hit was a double by freshman Gage Roberts. Senior Colin Boak was the losing pitcher, as he gave up the 11 runs (six earned) on nine hits in the first three and two-thirds innings. Senior Tom Miller tossed two and one-third innings of scoreless relief.

In the nightcap, Albion scored three runs in the second, two runs in the third and seven runs in the fourth inning to gain a 12-0 lead.

Olivet got on the scoreboard for the first time in the fifth inning. Kitzmiller and sophomore Connor Murney hit back-to-back singles before Roberts blasted a three-run home run over the fence in left field. Sophomore Luke Spotts and junior Brady Johnson drew back-to-back walks. After a pitching change, freshman Chase Cook then lined a single through the left side of the infield to score Spotts. Cleaver got on base when his batted ball was misplayed by the second baseman. Dayfield reached on a fielder's choice to plate Johnson with the fifth and final run of the inning.

The Britons got all five of those runs back in their half of the sixth inning. The Comets scored another run in the eighth inning. Murney walked and went to second on Roberts' single. Both runners moved up one each on a wild pitch, with Murney crossing the dish on an RBI-single by Johnson.

In the top half of the ninth, Olivet scored its final run. Senior Tyler Parish and went to third on a double by sophomore Colton Dawdy. A single to shallow right field by sophomore Nick Jones filled the bases. A groundout by Murney brought home Parish.

At the plate, the Comets collected 10 hits. Roberts went 2-for-5 with three RBI. Johnson also had two hits. Murney scored a team-best two runs. On the mound, sophomore Joseph Crosby suffered the loss after yielding nine runs on seven hits in three and one-third innings. Five relievers finished the game, combining to allow eight runs (six earned) seven hits.

The teams plan to finish the four-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow in Olivet, starting at 2 p.m.