Baseball team swept by Adrian, 5-3 and 2-1

The Olivet College baseball team was swept by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Adrian College this afternoon at Riverside Park in Adrian. The Bulldogs (12-9, 8-2 MIAA) won the first game, 5-3, and in the nightcap, they scored a run in the seventh inning for a 2-1 victory. The two teams will complete their four-game series next Monday, April 16, with a doubleheader in Olivet, starting at 2 p.m.

In the first game, Olivet (10-8, 4-6 MIAA) led 1-0 with an unearned run in the first inning. Senior Chris Shelhart (Rolling Meadows, Ill./St. Viator) singled to lead off the game and moved to second on a groundout. A fielding error and a throwing error by the Adrian rightfielder allowed Shelhart to score. The Bulldogs came right back with two runs in their half of the first and then took a 3-1 lead with a run in the second.

The Comets got one run back in the third inning. With one out, Shelhart singled through the leftside of the infield and scored on a RBI double by senior Nick McIntosh (Petoskey). The Bulldogs added single tallies in the fourth and fifth innings. Olivet scored a run in the top half of the sixth. McIntosh led off the frame with a double to the left-centerfield gap and moved to third on a groundout. An infield single by sophomore Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) scored McIntosh.

At the plate, Shelhart had four base hits and became Olivet's all-time leader in total bases. He now has 252 total bases to break Beau Locker's (2001-04) record of 248. McIntosh collected two doubles. On the mound, senior Brad Dragicevich (Kalamazoo/Central) was charged with the loss as he pitched a complete game, allowing five runs on 10 hits.

After three scoreless innings to start the nightcap, Adrian got on a scoreboard first with a run in the fourth. The Comets tied the game with a run in the top half of the seventh. Senior Sean Howard (Charlotte/Potterville) singled and freshman Matt Smoker (Bronson) entered the game to run for him. A pinch hit single by junior Eric Quinn (Fort Gratiot/Port Huron Northern) and a bunt single by senior Todd Driver (Charlotte) loaded the bases. After an out had been recorded, sophomore Cody Goodell (Davison) hit a single through the rightside of the infield. Smoker scored from third and Quinn was thrown out at the plate.

In the home half of the seventh, Alex Cowart walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A single moved the runner to third base. After a pitching change for the Comets, Todd Meyers singled up the middle and Cowart crossed the plate with the winning run.

At the plate, six different Olivet players had a hit, all singles. On the mound, senior Elliot Wilcox (Mattawan) was the hard luck loser, pitching six and a third innings. He gave up two runs on eight hits, while striking out five and walking three.

The Comets return to the field tomorrow when they travel to play Oakland University in a nine-inning contest at 3 p.m. Olivet will play Alma in a pair of doubleheaders this Thursday and Saturday. Thursday's games will be in Olivet, beginning at 2 p.m., while Saturday's games will start at 1 p.m. at Alma's Klenk Park.