Baseball team splits doubleheader at Alma

The Olivet College baseball team split a doubleheader with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College this afternoon at Klenk Park in Alma. Alma won the first game, 4-1, and the Fighting Comets rebounded to win the second game, 9-5.

In the first game, the Scots tallied a run in the second inning. Olivet knotted the score at 1-1 on a double by sophomore Stan Cieslak (Troy Avondale High School) in the third inning. Alma took the lead for good with a run in its half of the third inning. The Scots added an insurance run in the fifth and sixth innings.

Cieslak and senior Joe Richards (Galesburg Augusta High School) led the Comets with two hits apiece. Senior Ricky Strain (Livonia Churchill High School) scored the lone Olivet run.

Freshman Zach Langford (Marshall High School) suffered the loss on the mound. He pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs. In relief, junior Dustin Bolt (St. Joseph High School) and freshman Derek Ott (Kawkawlin Bay City Western) each tossed two-thirds of an inning.

In the nightcap, Olivet scored a run in the first inning. Alma answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. The Comets responded with a four-run third inning. The Scots closed to within two runs, 7-5, after six innings. Olivet closed the scoring with a pair of runs in the seventh.

On the mound, senior Josh Kellogg (Morley Stanwood High School) pitched a complete game, five-hitter. He allowed one earned run and struck out 12 batters. At the plate, sophomore Chris Shelhart (Rolling Meadows, Ill./St. Viator) collected two base hits and four RBIs, including a two-run double.

Olivet will next play on Monday, April 12 at non-league foe Aquinas College. The first pitch of the nine-inning game is slated for 4 p.m.