Baseball team falls to Elms, 13-12, in 12 innings

The Olivet College baseball team fell to Elms (Mass.) College, 13-12, in 12 innings tonight at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

Elms took a 6-0 lead with an unearned run in the first inning and five more runs in the top half of the second inning. Olivet responded with three runs in the bottom half of the second and five runs in the third to take an 8-6 lead. The Blazers grabbed the lead back at 12-8 when they plated five runs in the fourth and one in the fifth. The Comets made the score 12-11 with a three-run sixth and then forced extra innings with a run in the eighth. A leadoff came around to score for Elms in its half of the 12th inning. Olivet had the game-tying run on second base in the bottom half of the inning, but two fly ball outs ended the game.

The Comets posted 12 hits in the loss. Sophomore Tyler Olinske (Negaunee) went 2-for-6 with a pair of two-run doubles. Senior Erik McCloud (Holly) had two triples and three runs scored. Sophomore Austin Clark (Ossineke/Alpena), junior Jimmy Keenan (Charlotte) and sophomore Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) each recorded two singles. Senior Matt Smoker (Bronson) walked three times and scored twice. Senior Brad Sullens (Belleville) hit a two-run triple. Keenan and LaFramboise collected two RBI apiece.

Senior Josh Norlock (Warren/Centerline) started on the mound and went three and two-thirds innings. He surrendered 11 runs (four earned) off six hits. Freshman Eric Knoblock (Lake Orion) pitched three and one-third innings in relief and allowed one earned run off two hits. Freshman Ryan Pitt (Imlay City) was charged with the loss. He threw the final five innings.

Olivet will play a nine-inning game tomorrow against Carroll (Wis.) College. Game time at Terry Park is 4 p.m.