Baseball team loses twice to Calvin, 16-8 and 10-3

The Olivet College baseball team split a doubleheader with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Tri-State (Ind.) University today at Jannen Field in Angola. Behind a complete game pitching effort by senior Brad Dragicevich (Kalamazoo/Central) and a 16-hit offensive attack, the Comets won the first game, 8-1. The Thunder came back to win the nightcap, 15-3.

In the opener, Olivet scored three runs on five hits in the third inning. Sophomore Rob Swanson (Marshall) singled with one out and moved to second on a single by senior Chris Shelhart (Rolling Meadows, Ill./St. Viator). Both runners came around to score on a double by sophomore Cody Goodell (Davison). Senior Nick McIntosh (Petoskey) ripped a single to plate Goodell.

The Comets added two more runs in the fourth. Senior Sean Howard (Charlotte/Potterville) led off the frame with a double. A sacrifice bunt, followed by a sacrifice fly by Swanson allowed him to score. Shelhart reached base on a single and advanced to second when the Tri-State leftfielder misplayed the ball. Goodell hit a single, which scored Shelhart from second. The Thunder scored their run in the home half of the fourth inning.

A three-run sixth inning closed the scoring for Olivet. Swanson started the inning off with a single and moved to third on Shelhart's double. Swanson came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Goodell, while Shelhart scored on a single by McIntosh. Sophomore Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) lined a RBI double to plate McIntosh.

At the plate, every Olivet starter had at least one hit. Shelhart was three-for-four with three runs scored to become Olivet's all-time leader with 114 runs scored. Beau Locker (2001-04) was the all-time leader with 113. Goodell, McIntosh, Purdy, Swanson and senior Elliot Wilcox (Mattawan) each finished with two hits. Goodell and McIntosh drove in four and two runs, respectively. On the mound, Dragicevich scattered six hits in seven innings, while striking out one and walking one. The Comet defense turned two double plays.

In the nightcap, Olivet jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top half of the first inning. Shelhart started the game by reaching first on an infield single. Goodell was hit by a pitch to advance him to second. McIntosh took first base when Tri-State was unable to turn a double play. An error allowed Shelhart to score and move McIntosh to third. Another fielder's choice off the bat of senior Nate Rann (Laingsburg) scored McIntosh.

The Comets tallied an unearned run in the third inning. The Thunder got one run back in the home half of the third and took the lead for good with a six-run fourth inning. In the fifth, Tri-State sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs.

At the plate, Olivet was held to five hits, all singles by five different players. On the mound, Wilcox was charged with the loss after pitching three and one-third innings. He surrendered four runs on four hits. Five relievers combined to give up 11 runs on 10 hits.

The teams will complete the series tomorrow with a doubleheader in Olivet, beginning at 1 p.m.