Baseball team swept by Pitt Greensburg, 17-14 and 13-12

The Olivet College baseball team was swept by University of Pittsburg at Greensburg today in a doubleheader at the RussMatt Invitational in Auburndale, Fla. The Comets lost the first game, 17-14, in eight innings, and lost the nightcap, 13-12.

In the first game, Olivet led 8-3 after four innings. The Bobcats came back with a five-run fifth to tie the game at 8-8. They then scored two runs in the sixth and four runs in the top half of the seventh to make the score, 14-8. The Comets forced extra innings by scoring six runs in the home half of the seventh inning. Pitt Greensburg won the game with three runs in the eighth.

Offensively, junior Erik McCloud (Holly) was 3-for-4 and was a double shy of the cycle. He also scored three runs and drove in three. Senior Rob Swanson (Marshall) also had three hits. Senior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Central) had a single and triple, while collecting two runs scored and two RBI. Senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) had a home run and single, scored three runs and drove in three. On the mound, freshman Nick McCleary (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) was charged with the loss.

In the nightcap, the Comets fell behind by a 13-5 score after four innings. Olivet got three runs back in the fifth, one in the sixth and three runs in the seventh.

McCloud finished the game with two hits, including a home run. He also scored three runs. Goodman was 3-for-5. Sophomore Jimmy Keenan (Charlotte) had two hits and three RBI. Sophomore Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth) also had two hits and two RBI. Freshman Justin Pitt (Imlay City) suffered the pitching loss.

Olivet is back in action tomorrow for a single nine-inning game tomorrow against St. John Fisher (N.Y.) College. Game time at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven is 3 p.m.