Olivet's Baseball Team versus Albion

Olivet's home baseball field scoreboard during one of many games against the Britons. Photo taken by Brayden Craig.

The Olivet Comets and Albion Britons rivalry started when both schools joined the oldest conference in college sports, the MIAA, in 1888. However, for the baseball side, the rivalry began in 1970 when Olivet played Albion and lost 5-0 in the first-ever game between the two teams.

The Olivet Comets have been coached by Santiago Mendez since September 2022, his record is 1-7 against the Britons since becoming head coach.

The Albion Britons are coached by Matt Rix, the interim head coach who took over the program in July of 2024 but has been on the staff since the 2014 season. In Rix’s first year, he holds a record of 2-0 against the Comets.

“It’s always fun playing them, it brings out the energy in both teams. Usually, a lot of runs are scored when we play them,” said Senior Blake Hawkins.

This season in the rivalry, Albion has already beaten Olivet twice 8-0 and 11-3, with one more game left on Wednesday, April 16, at Albion. With it being a 2-0 series lead for the Britons, Olivet will look to go 1-2 and beat Albion to give them a win against the Brits.

“Being a catcher and hearing the chatter between the two teams, it's fun win or lose. I have a couple more games left against Albion, and I wanna make sure we're ready for anything they bring at us,” said Junior Catcher Mikey Kuzara.

For the all-time series, Albion leads Olivet 93-56. Olivet's longest win streak against the Brits is six in a row from April 19, 2002, to May 2, 2003. Albion's longest win streak against the Comets is seven in a row from April 1976 to April 1979.

“ It sucks being injured this year and not being able to play against Albion because you feel like you need everyone to win those rivalry games,” said Junior Charlie Quilliam.

Written by Brayden Craig