Baseball team falls to Alma, 10-0 and 16-1
The Olivet College baseball team was on the losing end of both games of a MIAA doubleheader to Alma College this afternoon at Klenk Park in Alma.
ALMA, Mich. – The Olivet College baseball team was on the losing end of both games of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader to Alma College this afternoon at Klenk Park in Alma. Alma's Alex Valasek threw a seven-inning, no-hitter to beat the Comets, 10-0, in the opener. The Scots then took game two, 16-1, in seven innings due to the mercy rule.
In game one, Alma scored five runs in the second inning, one run in the fourth and four runs in the sixth for its 10 runs. Olivet had three base runners in the game. Junior Andrew Dayfield reached on an error in the first inning, and freshman Travis Petts and senior Jimmy Schoof both drew base on balls in the sixth and seventh inning, respectively.
Sophomore Aiden Holliday was the losing pitcher after giving up six runs on 10 hits in the first four innings. Freshman Tommy Kaliszewski tossed two innings of relief and allowed the final four runs on four hits.
In the second game, the Scots plated six runs in the second, four runs in the third, three runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth to take a commanding 14-0 lead. The Comets scored their lone run in the top half of the sixth inning. With two runners already on base, Austin Cleaver beat out a double play ball to reach on a fielder's choice and put runners on the corners. An error by the Alma pitcher on a batted ball by freshman Gage Roberts allowed Schoof to scamper across the plate.
The Scots scored their final two runs in the home half of the sixth. Blake Ordiway allowed a hit before striking out all three Olivet batters in the seventh to end the game.
The Comets finished the game with five hits. Freshman James Herdon had the only extra base hit, a pinch-hit double in the seventh inning. The remaining four hits were singles for Cleaver, Schoof, senior Tyler Parish and freshman Bronson Warren.
Sophomore Michael O'Brien suffered the pitching loss after surrendering 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits in two and one-third innings. Sophomore Austin Hickey finished the game in relief, yielding the last six runs (five earned) on eight hits.
The Comets will wrap-up the 2016 season tomorrow with two more against Alma. First pitch from game one at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet is 2 p.m. Before the games in Olivet, Olivet will celebrate the 35th anniversary of its 1981 MIAA Championship team. More information on celebration can be found at http://bit.ly/81_BSB_MIAA_CHAMP. Between games, the Comets will recognize their nine seniors.