Baseball team shuts out Toledo, 7-0

Backed by solid pitching, a near perfect defense and timely hitting, the Olivet College baseball team upset NCAA Division I foe University of Toledo (Ohio), 7-0, today at Scott Park in Toledo, Ohio. The Comets recorded nine hits, committed only one error and five pitchers combined to allow just four base hits.

The Comets jumped on the Rockets early with two runs in the second inning. Sophomores Beau Felix (Hartland) and Jimmy Keenan (Charlotte) reached base on back-to-back singles. After both advanced one base on a wild pitch, senior Rob Swanson (Marshall) hit a single to score them.

Olivet added another run in the fourth frame. Senior Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West) doubled to the gap in right-centerfield. Felix singled through the right-side of the infield to put runners on the corners. Keenan delivered with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Purdy.

After two outs were recorded, the Comets pushed across four runs in the seventh inning. Junior Brad Sullens (Belleville) was hit to start the rally. Swanson singled to left-centerfield. A sacrifice bunt moved each runner up one base. Consecutive walks to junior Erik McCloud (Holly) and senior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Portage Central) scored Sullens with the first run.

Purdy then hit a single through the right-side of the infield to score Swanson and McCloud. Felix kept the rally going with a double to score Goodman.

For the game, Felix was 3-for-4 at the plate. Purdy and Swanson each had two hits and two RBI. On the mound, freshman Nick McCleary (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) earned the win. He started and went five innings, allowing three hits. Sophomore Sean Alexander (Fenton), junior Tyler Kelly (Marshall), senior Steven Oginsky (Corunna/New Lothrop) and sophomore Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) each threw one inning.

Olivet returns to action later this week for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association four-game series against Trine (Ind.) University. On Thursday, the teams will play a doubleheader in Olivet, beginning at 2 p.m. On Saturday, the series shifts to Trine's Jannen Field for a 1 p.m. twinbill.