Baseball team beats Rochester, 14-13, in 14 innings

The Olivet College baseball team was on the brink of losing three times, including twice in extra innings, but came through to tie the game and eventually pull out a 14-13 win over Rochester College this afternoon in its home-opener at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The game lasted 14 innings.

The Warriors (0-11) scored six runs in the first inning and one each in the second and third innings to take an 8-0 lead. Olivet (3-6) made the score 8-3 with three runs in the fifth frame. With the bases loaded in the inning, junior Erik McCloud (Holly) beat out a double play attempt, which allowed senior Rob Swanson (Marshall) to score. After another out was recorded, senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) ripped a double off the fence in right field to score McCloud and freshman Jacob Blamer (Newaygo), who had gotten on base with his first collegiate hit.

Olivet tied the game with five runs in the sixth inning. Junior Brad Sullens (Belleville) was credited with a RBI when his batted ball was misplayed by the shortstop, allowing freshman Tyler Olinske (Negaunee) to score from third base. McCloud hit a bases loaded triple to score three runs, and he scored when senior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Portage Central) hit a line drive into centerfield.

The Comets had a chance to score the go-ahead run in both the eighth and ninth inning, leaving five runners on base. After three scoreless extra inning frames, Rochester broke through with three runs in the top half of the 13th inning. Olivet took advantage of two Warrior errors to score three unearned runs in the home half of the 13th and force another extra frame.

Rochester grabbed the lead back on a two-run home run in the visitor's half of the 14th inning. Goodman led off Olivet's half of the 14th inning with a single up the middle. Purdy was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Junior Matt Smoker (Bronson) laid down a sacrifice bunt, which was thrown away by the Warrior pitcher. On the play, the Warrior right-fielder mishandled the ball, allowing Goodman and Purdy to score and Smoker to get all the way to third base. After a pitching change, sophomore Phil Sullens (Belleville) lined a 3-1 pitch into centerfield, scoring Smoker with the game-winning run.

Swanson was 3-for-7 with three runs scored. Goodman and McCloud each went 3-for-8 at the plate, while McCloud drove in four runs. Blamer, Purdy and Phil Sullens had two hits apiece. Blamer and McCloud each scored two runs.

On the mound, freshman Justin Pitt (Imlay City) started and faced only two batters after being hit by a line drive. Freshman Tom Koresh (Fenton) got the final two outs of the first inning, but allowed five runs (one earned) on two hits. Sophomore Sean Alexander (Fenton) tossed three innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits.

McCloud pitched five scoreless innings. He struck out five and walked one batter. Sophomore Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) went three and two-thirds innings. Freshman Aaron Campbell (Lansing/Waverly) got the final out of the 13th inning. Freshman Ben Steffler (Lapeer/West) earned the win after pitching the 14th inning.

Olivet is back in action Friday afternoon when it travels to play Hope College to open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader at Boeve Field is slated for 2 p.m.