Baseball team ends season with doubleheader split against Trine

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College baseball team celebrated Senior Day by splitting a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader with visiting Trine (Ind.) University today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. After being shutout 3-0 in the opener, the Comets bounced back to win the nightcap 7-2 behind a complete game pitching performance by freshman Jake Ball (Cadillac).

In the opener, Olivet had only one hit, a single by senior Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) to lead off the game. The Thunder scored the only run they needed in the top half of the fourth on a solo home run by Ryan Smith. Two more runs scored later in the inning. On the mound, senior Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak) suffered the loss. He went all seven innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts.

In the second game, Trine took a 1-0 lead with a run in the second inning. The Comets took the lead for good in the third when LaFramboise lined a 2-2 pitch to the fence in left-center for a two-run triple. Junior Tyler Olinske (Negaunee) scored from second and freshman Jonny Zawacki (Alpena) came around to score all the way from first base.

Olivet broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning. Sophomore Justin Pitt (Imlay City) hit a single, stole second and scored on a double by sophomore Randy Young (Wixom/Walled Lake Western). A wild pitch moved Young to third, and he scored on Olinske's double.

After the second out was recorded, freshman Joel Peters (Auburn Hills/Avondale) lined a single to left field, scoring Olinske. Peters stole second base. Zawacki walked to keep the inning going. On a batted ball up the middle by LaFramboise, the shortstop threw the ball away, allowing Peters to score and Zawacki to advance to third. A wild pitch scored Zawacki with the final run of the frame. Trine scored an unearned run in the seventh, but it could not get any closer.

The Comets finished the game with eight hits. Olinske was 2-for-2 with one RBI and two runs scored. LaFramboise had two hits and two RBI. Four others each recorded one hit. Ball was brilliant on the mound, needing 102 pitches to gain his first collegiate victory. He scattered seven hits and allowed one earned run.

Olivet ends its season with an 11-28 overall record, including an 8-20 mark against MIAA opponents. LaFramboise led the team with a .296 batting average, 19 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. Senior Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth)  had a .279 batting average and topped the team with 36 hits.