Baseball team splits doubleheader with Tri-State

The Olivet College baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader this afternoon with future Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association foe Tri-State (Ind.) University. The Fighting Comets won the first game, 2-1, and lost the nightcap, 14-3.

In the first game, the Thunder scored their run in the third inning. Olivet was held to one base hit through six and two-thirds innings. Junior shortstop Ben Thomas (Kalamazoo/Comstock Park High School) started the two-out rally with a single. Junior Brian Grappin (Flushing High School) singled up the middle, and Thomas moved up to second base. Freshman Nick Saviano (Niles High School) pinch ran for Thomas.

After a pitching change, Saviano and Grappin moved up one base on a passed ball. Senior Ricky Strain (Livonia Churchill High School) then hit a ball to the Tri-State third baseman, who overthrew first base and both runners scored on the throwing error.

On the mound, senior Josh Kellogg (Morley Stanwood High School) pitched a complete game, five-hitter. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter.

In the nightcap, Tri-State scored single runs in the first and second inning. The Thunder put the game out of reach with nine unearned runs in the third. Olivet ended the shutout by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the third inning on a double by Thomas. Tri-State closed its scoring with three runs in the fourth. Olivet added a run in the fourth.

At the plate, senior Beau Locker (Coldwater/Union City High School) was two-for-two with a run scored. Freshman Brad Dragicevich (Kalamazoo Central High School) suffered the loss on the mound. He started the game, pitched two innings and allowed seven runs (two earned).

Olivet is next in action when it hosts Finlandia University for a non-league doubleheader on Wednesday, April 7, at noon.