Baseball team drops first two MIAA games at Trine, 3-0 and 13-3

ANGOLA, Ind. – The Olivet College baseball team began Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with two losses, 3-0 and 13-3, to Trine (Ind.) University this afternoon at Jannen Field.

Final Scores: Trine 3, Olivet 0; Trine 13, Olivet 3 (7)
Location: Jannen Field; Angola, Indiana
Records: Olivet 5-11 overall, 0-2 MIAA; Trine 7-10 overall, 2-0 MIAA

• The Thunder opened the bottom half of the first inning with back-to-back singles. The second one advanced the runner to third base. After the runner was picked off first base, a ground out scored the runner from third.
• The Comets left eight total runners stranded on the bases over the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.
• Trine needed only one hit to push across two runs in the bottom half of the fifth. A single and hit by pitch put two runners on base. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runners into scoring position before a walk loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly advanced each runner, including scoring a run. A passed ball let the second run cross the plate.

• Olivet was held to three hits, including a single and double for junior James Harris.
• The third hit was a single by junior Tyler Campbell.
• Senior Brendan Redding threw all eight innings, as he gave up the three runs on six hits to be charged with the loss.

• All six Thunder hits were singles.
• Tyler Robinson had two base hits from the leadoff spot in the lineup.
• Avery Fulford and Brenden Warrner each drove in a run.
• Jeff Hoogewerf was the winning pitcher. He tossed the first six innings, scattering three hits while striking out four and walking four.
• Noah Brettin pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick-up the save.

• The Comets took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Senior Matt Hewitt reached on an error by the first baseman. He then stole second and third base before coming around to score on senior Gabriel Kirck's ground out.
• Trine tied the game with a run in its half of the first.
• The Thunder grabbed a 2-1 lead with a run in the bottom of second.
• A two-out rally for Olivet scored the tying run. Senior Ben Compton hit a double to the left-center gap, went to third on a passed ball and crossed the plate on Kirck's RBI-single.
• Trine answered with its own two-out rally in the last half of the third, as it strung together five hits to score three runs.
• The Comets closed the gap to 5-3 in the fourth inning. Senior Matt Fisher led off with a single, stole second base and went to third on Campbell's single. With runners on the corners, a double steal allowed Fisher to scamper home from third base.
• The Thunder got that run back and one more in the fourth to extend their lead to 7-3.
• Trine closed the scoring with four runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to end the game early due to the 10-run mercy rule.

• Olivet totaled six hits in the game.
• Compton and Fisher each had two hits, with one double and one single apiece.
• Other hits were by Campbell and Kirck.
• Kirck drove in two runs.
• Sophomore Keegan Kuha started on the mound and lasted only four innings. He suffered the loss after surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits.

• Warner, Gary DeMartino and Jackson O'Keefe each tallied three hits.
• DeMartino had two doubles and collected four RBI.
• Robinson scored four runs.
• Bryce Bloode earned the pitching win after throwing five innings, allowing three runs on six hits.
• Robert Kortas threw two scoreless innings of relief.

• Olivet and Trine will complete the three-game series with a nine-inning game tomorrow at Olivet's Cutler Athletic Complex. First pitch is at 1 p.m.