Baseball team drops two games to Alma, 4-1 and 2-1

The Olivet College baseball team dropped two close games, 4-1 and 2-1, to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College today in Olivet.

In the first game, The Scots (13-12, 9-7 MIAA) took a 3-0 lead with single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings. The Comets (7-16, 4-10 MIAA) scored their run in the bottom half of the sixth frame. Junior Chris Shelhart (Rolling Meadows, Ill./St. Viator) tripled to right field. He scored when the Alma first baseman dropped a fly ball off the bat of junior Nick McIntosh (Petoskey). The Scots added an insurance run in the seventh.

At the plate, seniors Stan Cieslak (Troy/Avondale) and Eddie Jones (Warren/St. Clement) were each 2-for-3. Cieslak had two singles, while Jones had a single and double. Also recording base hits were Shelhart and freshman Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West).

On the mound, junior Brad Dragicevich (Kalamazoo/Central) went the first six and one-third innings, allowing four earned runs on six base hits. He struck out two batters. In relief, sophomore Ed O'Brien (Stockbridge) needed seven pitches to get the final two outs.

In the second game, Alma led 2-0 through four innings. The Comets tallied their run in the fifth inning. Jones reached first base on a throwing error by the Alma shortstop, stole second base and moved to third base on a single by Cieslak.

On his hit, Cieslak advanced to second on a throwing error. The Scots' intentionally walked Shelhart to load the bases. A wild pitch plated Jones and moved everyone else up one base. McIntosh walked to re-load the bases, but a flyout ended the Comets' scoring threat. Olivet had a chance to tie the game, leaving a runner on base in both the sixth and seventh inning.

The Comets were limited to three hits as Cieslak, Jones and sophomore Michael Katlin (Howell) each had a hit. Senior Jonathon Van Son (Macomb/H.W. Notre Dame) walked two times. Junior Elliot Wilcox (Mattawan) was the hard luck loser, pitching seven solid innings. He allowed seven hits, while striking out eight and walking one batter.

Olivet's next MIAA series is against Calvin College. The Comets host the Knights Friday, April 21, and will travel to Grand Rapids on Saturday, April 22. Friday's twinbill starts at 2 p.m., and Saturday's action begins at 1 p.m.