BASEBALL PREVIEW

BASEBALL PREVIEW

The 2009 Olivet College baseball team returns with seven position player starters, two starting pitchers and a number of other contributors, who helped the Comets finish third in the 2008 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) baseball standings. With that much experience returning, the Comets look to be a strong contender for the 2009 MIAA championship.

PITCHER
Starting pitchers Sean Alexander (Fenton) and Brad Bieseigel (Royal Oak) return after having solid freshman years. Other potential starters include junior Tyler Kelly (Marshall), a transfer from Kellogg Community College; junior Erik McCloud (Holly), a transfer from Mott Community College; and freshman Justin Pitt (Imlay City).

Heading the relief staff will be senior Steve Oginsky (Corunna/New Lothrop), junior Josh Norlock (Warren/Centerline), sophomores Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mt. Morris) and Ryan York (Clinton Twp./L’Anse Creuse) and freshmen Adam Ruhle (Royal Oak/Shrine Catholic), Nick McCleary (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) and Tom Koresh (Fenton).

Other freshmen who could see action include Aaron Campbell (Lansing/Waverly), Paul Koviak (Twin Lake/Holton) Evan Platonas (Royal Oak/Shrine Catholic) and Ben Steffler (Lapeer/West).

CATCHER
The Comets return sophomore Phil Sullens (Belleville), who started 34 of the 40 games played in 2008. Talented freshmen Jake Blamer (Newaygo) and Austin Clark (Ossineke/Alpena) will compete with Sullens for playing time as both showed potential in fall practice.

INFIELD
First-team All-MIAA first baseman and tri-captain Scott Purdy (Traverse City/Central) returns to anchor the infield. Fellow seniors and captains Rob Swanson (Marshall) and Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) return to provide the Comets with a veteran infield.

Junior Brad Sullens (Belleville), a transfer from Madonna University, along with sophomore Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth) will also compete for playing time. Freshmen Tyler Olinske (Negaunee) and Mason Novess (Homer) will also be in the mix.

OUTFIELD
Senior first-team All-MIAA selection Brandon Goodman (Portage/Central) leads a very talented outfield group. McCloud, along with junior Matt Smoker (Bronson), will see plenty of outfield action, as will sophomores LaFramboise, Beau Felix (Hartland) and Jimmy Keenan (Charlotte).

SCHEDULE
The Comets will open the 2009 season March 7-14 at the RussMatt Invitational in Florida. Olivet will play eight games, including five games against teams, who had a winning record last year. Three of those teams competed in the 2008 NCAA Division III National Championships.
Upon returning from the Sunshine State, Olivet will play a non-conference game against Rochester College March 23. On March 27, the Comets will play their first MIAA doubleheader when they travel to play Hope College. Those will be the first of 28 league games during the 2009 season. Olivet will also play non-conference games against Aquinas College and Oakland University.