Baseball team loses twice at Albion, 8-5 and 5-0

ALBION, Mich. – The Olivet College baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College, 8-5 and 5-0, today at Frank Joranko Field in Albion.

In the first game, the Britons took a 6-0 lead with one run in the first inning and five runs in the third inning. Olivet cut its deficit down to one run with a five-run fifth inning. Junior Tyler Olinske (Negaunee) and senior Phil Sullens (Belleville) each had a two-run single in the inning, while senior Beau Felix (Hartland) walked with the bases loaded to bring in a run. Albion scored two insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning to go back up by three, 8-5.

At the plate, the Comets had eight hits. Senior Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth) was on base in 3-of-4 plate appearances, twice on singles and once on a fielder's choice. Senior Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) also had two hits and walked once. Freshman Jonny Zawacki (Alpena) walked two times and had a single. Olinske reached base safely in three trips to the plate, once each via a fielder's choice, walk and base hit.

Senior Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) was the losing pitcher, as he gave up six runs on seven hits in four innings. Freshman Joel Peters (Auburn Hills/Avondale) threw a scoreless inning of relief, and junior Aaron Campbell (Lansing/Waverly) allowed the two runs in the sixth on three hits.

In the nightcap, the Britons scored the only run that they needed in the first inning. They added their final four runs in the third inning. Olivet had runners in scoring position in four-of-seven innings, including the bases loaded in the seventh inning.

The Comets were limited to three hits, all singles by Kosmalski, Peters and Zawacki. On the mound, junior Lee Cline (Mt. Morris) surrendered all five runs on seven hits in three innings. Campbell and sophomore Justin Pitt (Imlay City) combined to give up just one hit over the final three innings in relief of Cline.

Olivet (7-18, 5-11 MIAA) will host Rochester College for a nine-inning, non-conference game Monday afternoon at 2 p.m.