UOlivet upended by Rhode Island College, 5-4, in spring break opener

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Olivet baseball team began its spring break trip by dropping a 5-4 game to Rhode Island College today at Grand Park. Today's game is the first of seven for the Comets at the Ripken Experience.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Rhode Island College 5, Olivet 4
• Location: Grand Park; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Records: Olivet 0-7 overall, Rhode Island College 4-3 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Rhode Island scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, the Comets answered with two runs in the top half of the second inning. The first run came around to score when senior Blake Hawkins was hit by a pitch when the bases were loaded. The second scored on an error by the center fielder on junior Tyler Duncan's batted ball.
• The Anchormen stretched took a 5-2 lead when they plated four runs in the third inning. Olivet got two runs back in the sixth inning on a squeeze bunt by junior Owen Smith and RBI-double by Duncan. The Comets had a chance to score the tying run in the seventh when they left two runners stranded in scoring position.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the game with six hits, including a 2-for-4 performance by junior Nate Droste.
• Senior Mason Cook and sophomore EJ Suggitt each walked twice.
• Freshman Jacob Wadsworth started on the mound and threw three innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits.
• Senior Wyatt Leland and sophomore Logan Lewis combined to allow one hit in five innings of relief.

UP NEXT

• Olivet plays a doubleheader tomorrow against New England College. First pitch from game one at Crosley Field is at 12 p.m.