Baseball team sweeps doubleheader from Hope, 13-5 and 5-3

Behind two complete game pitching performances and timely hitting, the Olivet College baseball team swept a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader from Hope College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets won by scores of 13-5 and 5-2.

In the first game, junior Erik McCloud (Holly) pitched seven strong innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits. Every Olivet starter reached base at least one time. Leading the offensive attack was senior Brandon Goodman (Portage/ Portage Central), who was 3-for-3 with two doubles and six RBI. Senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) also had three hits (two doubles and one single) to go along with three RBI and two runs scored.

Senior Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) went 2-for-2 and scored twice. Freshman Jacob Blamer (Newaygo) and sophomore Beau Felix (Hartland) each had two base hits, while sophomore Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth) drove in two runs. Senior Rob Swanson (Marshall) scored two runs.

In the nightcap, Hope scored an unearned run in both the first and third innings. Olivet tied the game with two runs in the bottom half of the third. Hodges walked and came around to score on a triple by McCloud. A wild pitch scored McCloud.

The Comets benefited from three hit batters and two walks to score the go-ahead runs in the fifth inning. Swanson led off the frame with a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved him to second. Goodman and Purdy were hit by pitches to load the bases with two outs. An infield single by Kosmalski brought home Swanson with the first run. Felix walked to bring home Goodman, and sophomore Jimmy Keenan (Charlotte) was hit to bring home Purdy. The Flying Dutchmen scored a run in the seventh.

For the game, sophomore Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out four batters. Olivet's offense had four hits, including two by Kosmalski.

Olivet will be back in action Tuesday for a non-conference nine-inning game at the University of Toledo (Ohio). Game time is 3 p.m. The Comets' next MIAA series is against Trine (Ind.) University. The first two games will be played in Olivet Thursday, beginning at 2 p.m. The final two games are one week from today at Trine, starting at 1 p.m.