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Senior, Deontay Thomas preparing to serve against Wittenberg University
Photo Credit: Brielle Broderick
Baseball
The University of Olivet baseball team hosted the Tigers of Grace Christian in their home opener on Tuesday, March 19. The Comets were defeated with a final score of 12-8. Sophomore Will Myrick crossed home plate successfully three times (team high) and was hit by a Tigers pitcher three times. He is the first Olivet player to take three plunks since 2003.
On Saturday, March 23 the Comets traveled to Delaware, Ohio to face off against Ohio Wesleyan University, defeating them 5-1. Olivet set the tone in the first inning with a two-out rally and a solo home run by Senior Gabriel Kirck. Senior Keegan Kuha helped the Comets secure the win by throwing four strikeouts. Sophomore Braden Abbott hit three doubles becoming the first Olivet player with this stat.
The Comets played a double header against Ohio Wesleyan and fell short in both games on Sunday, March 24. In game 1, the Bishops took a commanding 9-0 lead in the fourth inning before the Comets responded with six straight runs. Ohio Wesleyan captured the win in Game 1 with a score of 10-6. Freshman Austin Alflen was 3-for-4, with three singles and Senior Matthew Fennell and junior Blake Hawkins both went 3-for-5.
In game 2, freshman Jack Friesen hit a double to center field helping Sophomore Will Myrick score a run, tying the game in the fifth inning. The Battling Bishops would then score six straight runs, winning the game 8-2. During the first five innings, Junior Andrew Vendzuh yielded two earned runs on four hits. Senior Gabriel Kirck had one hit this game raising his consecutive games hit streak to eight.
Olivet begins Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play against Calvin University. On Friday, the teams play a nine-inning game in Grand Rapids, starting at 4 p.m. The series then shifts to Olivet on Saturday for a doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
The Men’s Tennis team were defeated by the Thunder of Trine University with a total score of 9-0. The closest match of the day took place at the first doubles match when freshman Lucas Anderson and senior Trevor Lewis made the score 4-3 but ultimately lost 8-3.
Men’s Track & Field
The Olivet Comets took 5th place, totaling 66 points on Saturday, March 23 at the Margaret Simmons Invitational. Freshman Owen Fremeau broke a school record in discus throwing 46.35 meters. Senior Jordon Brown finished third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.73 seconds. The 4x400-meter quartet of freshman Luke Leighton, sophomore Jonathan Holloway, sophomore Dontal Wright and senior Jordon Brown finished second (3:27.30). Freshman
Keegan Nutt cleared the pole vault bar 4.30 meters which is the third-best in Olivet history. The 4x800-meter relay team of seniors Chris Davis and Hunter Hillard, freshman Deegan Bodell and sophomore Anthony DeVito posted the third-quickest time in school history at 8:25.62.
The Comets will compete at the Alma College Triangular next Friday, March 29.
Men’s Volleyball
The Men’s Volleyball team took on Mount St. Joseph on Friday, March 22 and were defeated three sets to one. Senior Deontay Thomas had 15 digs and 14 kills, one of which securing Olivet’s win in the first set. Senior Quinn Dickerson recorded 18 kills and senior Kai Hartman had 31 set assists that night.
On Saturday, the men fell to the Tigers of Wittenberg University (3-0) to cap off their weekend stretch. The first set started with the Comets scoring their first point but the Tigers answered back by going on a 10-0 run and finished the set 25-14. Senior Deontay Thomas led the University of Olivet with six kills, followed by Senior Everett Haynes securing five.
The Comets will travel down to Angola, Indiana, to play Trine University Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m.
Softball
The double header against Grace Christian from Wednesday, March 20 was rescheduled to Monday, March 25.
STUNT
The University of Olivet STUNT team faced off against Heidelberg University and Concordia University in Ann-Arbor on Saturday, March 23. The Comets took the win against Heidlberg (5-0) and were defeated by Concordia (11-4).
On Saturday, April 6 the STUNT team will travel to Ashland University (Ohio) to compete against St. Elizabeth University at noon and Mercyhurst College at 3 p.m.
Track & Field
Last weekend, The Women’s Track & Field team placed 10th in the Margaret Simmons Invitational. Sophomore Natalia Johnson ran the 100-meter dash and clocked a time of 13.11 seconds, the sixth fastest time in Olivet history. The 4x800 A relay team of seniors Allyson Stevens and Tonya Tepin, freshman Aubrey Connelly and sophomore Sarah Grove recorded the fifth fastest time of 10:35.15.
The Comets will compete at the Alma College Triangular next Friday, March 29.
Story by: Caleb Arthur
Photo Credit: Brielle Broderick