OLIVET, MICH. -- The Trine University baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Olivet (Mich.) College, 4-2 and 5-4 in eight innings, as part of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association four-game series in Olivet, Mich.
In game one, Trine (3-15, 3-6 MIAA) scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning on a double with two outs by junior Brenden Warner (Richland, Mich./Hackett Catholic Prep). Warner attempted to stretch the double into a triple, but was thrown out at third base. But not before a run crossed home plate giving the Thunder the early 1-0 lead.
Trine added another run in its half of the third inning with another run-scoring double, this time by senior A.J. Mitchell (Emmett, Mich./Kellogg CC) who found space in left field to make it a 2-0 ball game. The run turned out to be the final one for the Thunder, however, as Olivet (4-15, 2-7 MIAA) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a double and then took the lead with a three-run fifth inning en route to the 4-2 final.
Trine finished with seven total hits and had three multi-hitters in Mitchell, Warner and sophomore Adam Stefanelli (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North). Mitchell finished a perfect two-for-two with a run scored and RBI. Both Warner and Stefanelli went two-of-three and Warner also added a RBI.
On the mound, freshman Josh Hoogewerf (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) started for the Thunder and ended up with a no decision after pitching four complete innings and gave up two runs on six hits and struck out four batters. Senior Drew Cebulak (Oakmont, Pa./Central Catholic) came on to pitch the final two innings and was credited with the loss after allowing two runs on four hits and had three strikeouts.
In game two, the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third frame when Olivet broke the stalemate with two runs on a RBI base hit and a wild pitch.
The deficit remained a pair of runs for Trine until the sixth inning when the Thunder plated four runs that began with a passed ball with runners on second and third base that allowed sophomore Cory Erbskorn (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold) to score. Later in the inning, Trine scored two more runs on a base hit by freshman Daniel Rumberger (Livonia, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) that also included a defensive error. The final run came on a Mitchell base hit to the shortstop as the Thunder led, 4-2, heading into the seventh inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Comets had bases loaded with only one out on the board. After a walk that loaded the bases, Olivet hit a single to left field scoring two runs to even the game at 4-4. The Trine defense then got Olivet to hit into consecutive outs, preventing any more runs from scoring and sent the game into extras.
After a scoreless top of the eighth by Trine, Olivet got a runner into scoring position with a double in its second at-bat of the inning. Following an ensuing ground out that advanced the lead runner to third base, the Comets struck for the game winner on a single that plated the run and sealed the 5-4 victory and the doubleheader sweep.
Trine had nine hits in the nightcap with senior Shayne Devine (Valparaiso, Ind./Portage) recording a game-high three hits in five plate appearances. Erbskorn also recorded a multi-hit game going two-of-four at the plate in addition to a run scored.
Senior Conner Dove (St. Joe, Ind./Eastside) started at pitcher and went five and two-thirds innings allowing two runs on five hits and struck out three batters in a no decision. Senior Kyle Robinson (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) pitched an inning-and-a-third of relief and gave up two runs on two hits. Junior Bryce Bloode (New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) ended up as the pitcher of record and was handed the loss after pitching two-thirds of an inning allowing one run on two hits.
Trine will conclude the four-game series against Olivet tomorrow (Sunday, Apr. 18) with a doubleheader at Jannen Field in Angola, Ind. The twinbill is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
