RICHMOND, Indiana - The Earlham College baseball team tallied 22 hits including an eight-run seventh inning to outslug Olivet College 20-11 in the Quakers' home-opener at Sadler Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Olivet (0-4) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead using a three-run home run from Gary Tompkins III and a double from Aiden Holliday in the first inning. Earlham got one run back in the bottom half of the frame, but a triple from Aaron Gillespie and a Quaker error gave the Comets a 6-1 lead after the top of the second.
After a scoreless third inning for both teams, Earlham opened the bottom of the fourth with a single from Laird. Freshman Danny Dopp then tripled and was singled home by senior Cody Krumlauf scoring two Quaker runs. Earlham would add another run on an Olivet error and trailed 6-4 after four complete.
The Comets scored their seventh run in the fifth, but solo home runs from seniors Matt Barger and Eric Elkus got Earlham within a single run (7-6) after five. The Quakers then held Comets scoreless in the top of the sixth, and used four hits to score three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Leading 9-7, Earlham couldn't hold the lead, however, as Olivet plated four runs and chased two Quaker pitchers in the seventh to take an 11-7 advantage.
Three of the first four Quakers reached base in the seventh including sophomore Addison Robertson, who's RBI-single got Earlham with a single run (11-10). A strikeout and walk followed, and senior Nate Lynch came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. The Oxford, Ohio native delivered, sending a two-RBI double down the left field line.
The Quakers would score four more runs in the inning and three in the eighth to seal the victory.
Freshman Jordan Christian began the contest, but allowed five earned runs in 3.1 innings pitched. Sophomore Matt Mathies also pitched 3.1 innings, but it was senior Howie Smith who earned the victory, striking out one while not allowing a hit a 1.1 innings of work.
Holliday took the loss for the Comets, allowing eight earned runs in 0.2 innings pitched.
Elkus finished 3-6 with 4 RBIs to go along with two home runs for the Quakers offensively. Laird and Dopp both finished 4-5 while freshman Isaiah Shake added three hits.
Thompkins III sparked the Comets' offense going 2-5 with three RBIs.
The Quakers pick up their first win of the 2017 season and return to action on Sunday for a doubleheader against Oberlin College. First pitch is slated for noon.