Baseball team loses two games to Adrian, 4-3 and 7-3

The Olivet College baseball team lost both games of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader to Adrian College today in Olivet. The Bulldogs (16-11, 12-4 MIAA) won by scores of 4-3 and 7-3.

In the first game, Adrian scored two runs in the third inning. In their half of the fifth inning, the Comets (10-12, 4-9 MIAA) pushed across two runs. The Bulldogs took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the top half of the seventh inning. Olivet did not go down quietly in the bottom half of the seventh, scoring one run and leaving the bases loaded.

For the game, the Comets out-hit Adrian, 7-3. Seven different Olivet players had a hit. Sophomore Cody Goodell (Davison), senior Chris Shelhart (Rolling Meadows, Ill./St. Viator) and sophomore Rob Swanson (Marshall) each had a RBI. Shelhart is now second all-time at Olivet with 100 RBI. He needs only three RBI to pass Scott Swearengin (1994-97) for the all-time lead. On the mound, sophomore Steven Oginsky (New Lothrop) was charged with the loss in relief of senior Brad Dragicevich (Kalamazoo/Central). Oginsky pitched the seventh inning, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit. Dragicevich started and tossed six innings. He yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits, while striking out four.

In the nightcap, both teams scored a run in the first inning. After Adrian took a 2-1 lead with a run in the second, Olivet scored two runs in the bottom half of the third. The Bulldogs took the lead for good with a four-run fourth inning. The Bulldogs added an insurance run in sixth.

At the plate, the Comets were limited to six hits, including two each by Goodell and Shelhart. Goodell had a two-run single, while Shelhart scored two runs. Senior Elliot Wilcox (Mattawan) suffered the pitching loss, giving up seven runs (four earned) off 10 hits. He struck out four and walked two. Junior Justin Creager (Grandville) pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Olivet continues MIAA play with a four-game series against Calvin College Wednesday, April 18 and Saturday, April 21. Wednesday's doubleheader will be played at Calvin at 2 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader will be played in Olivet at 1 p.m.