Alexander's no-hitter helps baseball team sweep MIAA doubleheader against Kalamazoo, 9-5 and 2-1

The Olivet College baseball team rallied to win the opener, and sophomore southpaw Sean Alexander (Fenton) pitched a complete game, no-hitter, as the Comets swept a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader, 9-5 and 2-1, from Kalamazoo College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex. With the sweep, Olivet has won nine straight MIAA games. The Comets (13-8, 9-1 MIAA) will look to complete the season series sweep when the teams play a doubleheader tomorrow, beginning at 1 p.m.

Alexander's no-hitter was just the second in Olivet history with the first being by Eric Lewis versus Calvin College in 1996. In addition, the last first no-hitter in an MIAA game was during the 2004 season.

In the opener, the Comets trailed 5-2 after five innings. Olivet then sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven times in the sixth inning. The Hornets (4-14, 1-9 MIAA) loaded the bases in the seventh, but the Comets got out of the jam with two fly outs.

For the game, Olivet had 12 hits. Senior Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) went 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Sophomores Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth) and Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) each had two hits. LaFramboise's two hits came in the sixth inning with the second one driving in two runs. Junior Erik McCloud (Holly) and senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) also had two RBI apiece.

On the mound, junior Tyler Kelly (Marshall) started and went the first three and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits. Junior Josh Norlock (Warren/Centerline) earned the win in relief. He threw the final three and one-third innings, giving up one run on three hits.

In the nightcap, Olivet took a 1-0 lead with a run in the third inning on a RBI-double by junior Matt Smoker (Bronson). Hodges put the Comets ahead 2-0 with a solo home run in the fifth inning. The Hornets scored their run in the sixth on a walk, sacrifice bunt, stolen base and RBI-groundout.

Alexander needed just 90 pitches to complete his pitching gem. He helped preserve the no-hitter by snagging a hard line drive and throwing over to first to double off a runner for the final two outs of the game. Six different Olivet players each had a base hit. Kosmalski reached basely safely in each of his three plate appearances, walking twice and hitting an infield single.

Following tomorrow's games, the Comets will play a four-game series against Alma College next week. The first two games will be played Friday, April 17, in Olivet, starting at 2 p.m., and the final two games will be played next Sunday, April 19, at 1 p.m.