Baseball team sweeps doubleheader at Kalamazoo, 9-1 and 5-4

The Olivet College baseball team swept a doubleheader from Kalamazoo College this afternoon at Woodworth Field in Kalamazoo. The Comets won the first game, 9-1, behind a complete game pitching performance from David Pembroke (Bay City/John Glenn). In the second game, Olivet won, 5-4, in 10 innings when senior Eric Quinn (Port Huron/Northern) hit a sacrifice fly to score junior Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) with the winning run.

In the opener, the Comets scored one run in the first and second innings. Kalamazoo scored its run in the bottom half of the second. Olivet erupted for four runs in the third innings to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The Comets closed the scoring with single tallies in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings.

Offensively, Olivet banged out 16 hits. Junior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) led the way as he had a base hit in each of his first four plate appearances. Five other starters had two hits a piece and three players each scored two runs. Freshman Phillip Sullens (Belleville) drove in three runs, while Purdy and sophomore Matt Smoker (Bronson) had two RBI a piece.

On the mound, Pembroke scattered five hits in his seven innings of work. He struck out two, walked one and allowed only two runs past second base.

In the nightcap, Kalamazoo took a 3-0 lead through two innings of play. Olivet tied the game at 3-3 with a three-run fifth inning. The big hit of the inning was a two-run double by junior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Central). After the Comets took a 4-3 lead with a run in the top half of the eighth, the Hornets answered with a run in its half of the eighth.

There was no scoring in the ninth. With one out in the tenth inning, Hodges reached base after the Kalamazoo centerfielder dropped a fly ball. Purdy singled up the middle to advance Hodges to third base. A deep sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Hodges. The Hornets had the tying run on second base, but a strikeout and fly out ended the game.

Goodman and Quinn each finished with two hits and two RBI. On the mound, senior Ed O'Brien (Stockbridge) started and went two innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Senior Michael Katlin (Howell) pitched five scoreless innings of relief. Freshman Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) tossed the final two innings. He did not give up a hit and struck out three batters.

The two teams will complete the four-game series with a doubleheader in Olivet Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1 p.m.