Baseball team splits doubleheader with Kalamazoo

The Olivet College baseball team split a doubleheader with Kalamazoo College this afternoon in Olivet. The Comets rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to win game one, 8-7, and lost game two, 8-7. With the split, Olivet is tied with Adrian College for second-place in the MIAA standings with a 6-2 record.

In game one, the Hornets took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top half of the third. Olivet answered with three runs in its half of the third. Junior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) had a two-run double in the frame. Kalamazoo tied the game with a run in the fourth and fifth innings. The Comets answered with a run in its half of the fifth and sixth innings. The Hornets came back to take a 7-5 lead with a four-run seventh inning.

Olivet won the game by scoring three runs in the bottom half of the seventh. Freshman Phillip Sullens (Belleville) walked to leadoff the inning. Junior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Central) reached base on a single. A throwing error by the Hornet shortstop moved Sullens to third and Goodman to second. A groundout to the right side of the infield by freshman Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) scored Sullens and advanced Goodman to third. Junior Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) hit a fly ball, and the rightfielder dropped the ball, which allowed Goodman to score and Hodges to get all the way to third base. Purdy was the next hitter and he drove in Hodges for the game-winning run with an infield single.

At the plate, Purdy had two hits and three RBI. Hodges also drove in three runs. Goodman and Sullens scored twice. Freshman Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) started on the mound but did not factor in the decision. Junior Steve Oginsky (New Lothrop) was credited with the win, after getting the final out in the top of the seventh.

In game two, Kalamazoo erupted for seven runs on six hits in the first inning. Olivet battled back to tie the game at 7-7 with four runs in the third and three runs in the fourth. The Hornets scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the fifth.

At the plate, junior Rob Swanson (Marshall) was 2-for-3. Hodges collected three RBI, while Goodman had two RBI. On the mound, freshman Sean Alexander (Fenton) started and did not get out of the first inning, giving up all seven runs. Sophomore Josh Norlock (Warren/Center Line) was the hard luck loser, pitching six and one-third innings. He allowed just four base hits and struck out four.

The Comets will take a break from league play Tuesday, April 8, when it hosts Rochester College. A nine-inning varsity game will start at 2 p.m., followed by a seven-inning junior varsity contest.