Baseball team loses suspended game, 6-5, in nine innings, split doubleheader against Albion

The Olivet College baseball team posted a 1-2 record against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The day's action began with the Britons winning the completion of yesterday's suspended game, 6-5, in nine innings. The Comets then split the regularly scheduled doubleheader, winning the first game, 4-3 and losing the nightcap, 9-5.

Before the rain came yesterday, Olivet led 4-0 with a run in the first inning and three runs in the fourth inning. Albion scored four runs in the fifth inning and had the bases loaded with two outs when play resumed. The Comets needed just one pitch to get out of the jam to start today's action.

Olivet took a 5-4 lead in the top half of the eighth inning on a RBI-groundout by sophomore Beau Felix (Hartland). The Britons forced another inning with a run in the bottom half of the eighth on a suicide squeeze bunt. The Comets got a runner on in the ninth, but a double play ended the threat. A pinch-hit single with the bases loaded scored the winning run for Albion.

For the game, senior Rob Swanson (Marshall) went 3-for-4. Senior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Portage Central) had a pair of hits. On the mound, sophomore Sean Alexander (Fenton) started and threw 4.2 innings, allowing four earned runs off eight hits. Junior Josh Norlock (Warren/Centerline) pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Sophomore Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) finished the game and suffered the loss.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Olivet led 2-0 behind a two-run double by junior Matt Smoker (Bronson) in the fourth inning. The Britons tied the game with two runs in the fifth and then took a 3-2 lead with a run in the sixth. The Comets pushed across the tying and winning run in dramatic fashion in the bottom half of the seventh. Swanson walked to lead off the frame. After two outs were recorded, LaFramboise drew a four-pitch walk. A balk by Albion pitcher Ryan Gunderson moved each runner up a base. A wild pitch then scored Swanson and moved LaFramboise to third. Goodman then sent a hard shot into left-centerfield to score LaFramboise with game-winning run.

For the game, the Comets had just five hits, including Goodman with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. In relief of junior Erik McCloud (Holly), Norlock threw two innings to earn the win and improve to 4-1 on the season. McCloud gave up three runs off 10 hits. Norlock allowed just two runs in his two innings.

The Britons sent all nine batters to the plate and scored six times in the first inning of the nightcap. They stretched their lead to 7-0 with an unearned run in the second. Olivet got one run back in the third. Albion responded with a run in the fourth for an 8-1 lead. The Comets scored four runs and brought the tying run to the plate in the fifth. The Britons added an insurance run in the seventh.

For the game, Goodman had 2 of Olivet's six hits and drove in two runs. Senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) had a two-run double. Swanson reached base safely in each of his three plate appearances. On the mound, sophomore Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) was the losing pitcher after surrendering seven runs (six earned) off six hits in 1.1 innings.

The Comets will now prepare for a big four-game MIAA series with Calvin College. The teams will play a doubleheader in Olivet Thursday, starting at 2 p.m. The series will then shift to Calvin for a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.