Carney’s 14 strikeouts help UOlivet defeat Alma, 6-2

ALMA, Mich. – Senior Bryan Carney struck out 14 batters to lead The University of Olivet baseball team to a 6-2 win over Alma College today in the first game of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association weekend series at Klenk Park.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Olivet 6, Alma 2
• Location: Klenk Park; Alma, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 11-8 overall, 3-1 MIAA; Alma 15-8-1 overall, 3-2 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Comets left eight runners stranded over the first four innings. Olivet finally broke through with a two-out rally in the top of the fifth inning. Junior EJ Suggitt drew a full-count walk. Junior Isaac Moore lofted a ball into shallow leftfield where the outfielder misplayed the ball and allowed Suggitt to scamper home with the first run.
• The Scots threatened to tie the game in the sixth inning. After the first out was recorded, A walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases. Carney stuck out the next batter and an out at second base ended the inning.
• The Comets added four insurance runs in the eighth inning. Moore led off with a walk and freshman Mario Ricard entered the game as a pinch runner. Three consecutive Alma scored the first run and filled the bases. Senior Brody Parten roped a double down the right field line to score two runs. Following a strikeout, senior Braden Abbott hit a two-run single into the right-center gap.
• The Scots scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings, but it was not enough to pull out the win.

FOR THE COMETS

• Carney pitched seven scoreless innings to improve his record to 5-1 on the season. Carney threw 126 pitches (77 strikes), allowing three hits and four walks.
• Junior Logan Lewis tossed the final two innings, giving up the two runs on four hits, one walk and one hit batter.
• At the plate, freshman Wyatt Ball was 3-for-5 with three singles.
• Suggitt tallied two hits.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• This season, Carney has struck out 75 batters. That number is tied second in UOlivet history, with the record being 97 by Chris Gumper during the 1996 season.
• Carney is also 20 strikeouts away from the career record. Gumper also has that record with 260 from 1993-96.

UP NEXT

• The teams will wrap up the series tomorrow with a doubleheader. The games will be played at Cornerstone University's De Witt Field in Grand Rapids, with first pitch from game one set for 2 p.m.