Preview | Roster | Schedule | Coaching Staff | Statistics | Sports Guide

The Olivet College baseball team feels that it can improve on last year’s disappointing 14-26 overall record. With the addition of three junior college transfers and 13 freshmen, second-year Head Coach Ted Mahan is also optimistic the Comets can finish higher in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings.

INFIELD
     The infield is one area where Olivet has the most varsity experience. Junior first-baseman Scott Purdy (Traverse City/West), junior second-baseman Rob Swanson (Marshall), senior shortstop Michael Katlin (Howell) and senior third-baseman Eric Quinn (Port Huron/Northern) are all back. Last year, Quinn played in 28 games and finished with a .302 batting average. Purdy saw action in 30 games and had a .293 batting average.
      Junior Ryan Hodges (Swartz Creek) along with freshmen Calvin Gadwa (Brighton/Hartland) and Ben Kosmalski (Canton/Plymouth) are expected to be backups in the infield. Hodges came to Olivet after two years at Mott Community College and was a 2007 All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association Honorable Mention selection.

CATCHER
     Behind the plate, freshman Phil Sullens (Belleville) replaces Nick McIntosh ’07, a three-time All-MIAA selection. His backup will be sophomore Joshua Norlock (Warren/Center Line).

OUTFIELD
     The outfield is the area where the Comets will need to replace three players from last year’s team, including Chris Shelhart, a three-time All-MIAA pick. Look for junior Brandon Goodman (Portage/Central) in left, Hodges in center and freshman Braydon LaFramboise (Flushing/Mount Morris) in right. Goodman has two years of collegiate experience from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
     Other outfielders who will see varsity action include freshman James Keenan (Charlotte), junior Kyle Papierz (Mattawan) and sophomore Matt Smoker (Bronson). Papierz played the last two years at Glen Oaks Community College.

PITCHERS
     The starting rotation features seniors Ed O’Brien (Stockbridge) and Dave Pembroke (Bay City/John Glenn), sophomore Richard Gottardo (Warren/Center Line) and freshmen Sean Alexander (Fenton) and Brad Beisiegel (Royal Oak). Last year, Pembroke posted a 2-2 record and 2.86 ERA in 50 and one-third innings. O’Brien is a starter this year after making 10 relief appearances last spring. Gottardo did not allow an earned run in six and one-third innings. He won his only start, a 5-1 victory over Eastern Mennonite (Va.) College.
     Katlin, LaFramboise and freshman Ryan York (Clinton Twp./L’Anse Creuse) are all expected to be relief pitchers. Junior Steven Oginsky (New Lothrop) is slated to be the closer after making a team-high 21 appearances on the mound last year. He had a 4.17 ERA, three saves and struck out 35 batters in 36 and two-thirds innings.

SCHEDULE
     Olivet opens its season March 7-13 at the RussMatt Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla. While there, the Comets will play eight games in seven days, including games against fellow Mideast Region foes Ohio Wesleyan University and Heidelberg (Ohio) College.
     Olivet returns home for a non-conference game against Rochester College March 19. The Comets will then begin their MIAA schedule, where they will play a home and away doubleheader against each of the other seven league schools.
     Olivet will also play nine-inning non-conference games against Eastern Michigan and Oakland universities.