Baseball team loses to Kalamazoo, 7-6

The Olivet College baseball team dropped a 7-6 decision to Kalamazoo College in the completion of a suspended game today at Woodworth Field in Kalamazoo. The game was stopped in the second inning Saturday, April 3, because of rain.

Before the suspension of play, the Comets scored four runs in the top half of the first. Sophomore Tyler Olinske (Negaunee) had a two-run single in the inning. The Hornets answered with four runs in their half of the first inning. The big hit of the inning was a three-run home run by Mike Murray. Olivet batted in the second inning before the game was stopped. When the game resumed today, Kalamazoo took a 7-4 lead on another three-run homer by Murray.

The Comets made the score 7-5 with a run in the fourth on a RBI-single by junior Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth). Olivet had the bases loaded with one out, but failed to get the clutch hit. Olivet trimmed its deficit to one run, 7-6, with a run in the sixth when junior Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) led off the frame with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on senior Erik McCloud's (Holly) sacrifice fly. The Comets were sent down in order in the seventh inning.

For the game, Kosmalski reached base safely in 3-of-4 plate appearances, drove in a run and scored once. On the mound, sophomore Aaron Campbell (Lansing/Waverly) started and allowed the four first-inning runs on four hits. Junior Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) completed the game in relief, but was tagged with the loss. He gave up three runs on three hits, while striking out four.

Olivet will play two non-conference games this week before playing Adrian College in its next league series Friday and Saturday, April 9-10. Tomorrow, the Comet will travel to play University of Toledo (Ohio) at 3 p.m., and on Wednesday, they host Aquinas College at 1 p.m.