Baseball team opens season with two losses at Akron

AKRON, Ohio – Playing a game for the first time in nearly a year, the Olivet College baseball team was swept by University of Akron, 13-0 and 9-1, in a non-conference doubleheader at Skeeles Field.

Final Scores: Akron 13, Olivet 0; Akron 9, Olivet 1
Location: Skeeles Field; Akron, Ohio
Records: Olivet 0-2 overall, Akron 2-0 overall

• The Zips scored the only run they would need in the bottom half of the second inning. Akron added three more runs in the third inning and one more run in the fifth inning. The Zips broke the game open with a seven-run sixth inning. All of the runs in the inning were unearned. Akron capped its scoring with a run in the seventh.

• Freshman Matthew Fennell had Olivet's lone hit, a single to break up a no-hitter to lead off the sixth inning.
• Senior Zac Walter was charged with the pitching loss. He started on the mound, allowing four runs on six hits over four innings.

• Cameron Tilly went 3-for-4 with three runs scored. One of his hits was a grand slam.
• Roy Thurman and Bryan Shellenbarger each had two hits and an RBI.
• Four players scored two runs apiece.
• Connor Steinbaugh earned the winning pitching win. He faced the minimum 15 batters in five innings and struck out seven.

• After the Comets left two runners stranded in scoring position in the top half of the first inning, the Zips used a leadoff triple and sacrifice fly to plate a run in their half of the first.
• Olivet tied the game with a single tally in the second inning. Three walks loaded the bases for Fennell. He then hit a sacrifice fly to score freshman Quartaze Phillips who just avoided the tag at the plate.
• Akron pushed across three runs in the home half of the second before erupting for five runs in the fifth inning.

• Senior Matt Fisher tallied Olivet's only hit.
• Fennell drove in the run.
• Five Comets reached base via walks.
• Junior Brendan Redding suffered the pitching loss. He gave up seven earned runs on eight hits over four and one-third innings.

• Three players each went 2-for-4.
• Bradley Goulet had two hits, scored two runs and collected two RBI.
• Shellenbarger also drove in two runs.
• John Creel was the winning pitcher. He surrendered the one run, while walking five and striking out five over four innings.

• "Two losses isn't obviously how we wanted to open the season," said Olivet head coach Shelby Dixon. "We definitely have a lot of work to do as a team and coaching staff. That being said, we saw some glimpses of being a really competitive baseball team at times and that was encouraging.
• "Most importantly, our men were able to get back on the field for the first time in almost a year. Their smiles were a mile wide and I am so happy for them to get back to playing the game they love."

• The Comets travel to Chicago next Tuesday, March 9, for a doubleheader against St. Xavier University. The games will be played at Ozinga Field, home of the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts. First pitch from game is 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET.