Baseball team splits doubleheader with Tri-State (Ind.)

The Olivet College baseball team split a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader with Tri-State (Ind.) University this afternoon at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek. The Comets lost the first game, 8-5, and salvaged the split with a 4-0 win in game two.

In the first game, Tri-State (3-20, 1-21 MIAA) scored two runs in the first inning. Olivet (9-22, 6-16 MIAA) answered with two runs in its half of the first. Senior Drew Benoit (Climax-Scotts) singled up the middle to start the game and moved to second on groundout. Junior Chris Shelhart (Rolling Meadows, Ill./St. Viator) plated Benoit with a triple off the leftfield wall. Shelhart scored on a groundout by junior Nick McIntosh (Petoskey).

The Thunder came right back with five runs in the top half of the second frame. The Comets got one run back in the bottom of the second. Senior Eddie Jones (Warren/St. Clement) singled, advanced to second on a single by junior Derek Ott (Kawkawlin/Bay City Western). Jones stole third base and scored when the Tri-State catcher threw the ball into left field.

After Tri-State tallied a run in the fourth, Olivet scored two runs in the sixth frame. Freshman Dan Simmons (Climax-Scotts) led off the inning with a single. Junior Isaiah Wiltshire (Mississagua, Ontario/Lorne Park) entered the game as a pinch runner. A wild pitch, followed by a stolen base and throwing error scored Wiltshire. Jones walked, moved to second on a single by Ott and came around to score on a double down the left field line by Benoit.

At the plate, Ott was 3-for-3. Shelhart and Simmons had two hits a piece, while Jones scored two runs. On the mound, junior Brian Schaeffer (Mason) was charged with the loss. He pitched the first inning and two-thirds, allowing six runs on seven hits. Sophomore Adam Bassett (Bellevue) finished the game in relief, scattering seven hits and yielding two runs (one earned).

In the nightcap, the Comets took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the third inning. Olivet added two runs in the fourth inning and closed the scoring with a run in the sixth. In the fourth, back-to-back singles by Simmons and sophomore Michael Katlin (Howell) put the runners on base. Jones used a sacrifice bunt to move them to second and third base, respectively. Benoit lined a single through the left side of the infield to score Katlin and Simmons.

Benoit also drove in Katlin for the sixth inning run. Katlin reached base on a fielder's choice and went to second on a walk to Ott.

At the plate, Benoit, Shelhart and Simmons each collected two hits. Benoit had three RBI, and Jones scored two times. On the mound, freshman Mark Sherrod (Jackson) pitched a complete game, two-hitter. He struck out four batters. The Olivet defense was also stellar, turning four doubles plays.

Olivet and Tri-State will conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader Saturday, April 29, at Tri-State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.