Dominant pitching helps softball team wins two games at Gene Cusic Classic

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Behind complete game pitching performances from freshmen Ashlynn Grubb (LaGrange, Ind./Lakeland) and Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc), the Olivet College softball team won two games today at the Gene Cusic Classic inside the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla. Stratton allowed two hits in the opener, a 7-0 win over Mass. College of Liberal Arts, and Grubb gave up only four hits in second game, a 9-1 win over Northland (Wis.) College.

Against MCLA, Olivet broke a scoreless tie with a three-run fifth inning. Junior Ashley Milheim (Eaton Rapids) drove in freshman Jessica Palumbo (Oxford) with the first run on an infield single. Later in the inning, Grubb hit a two-out double to score Milheim and freshman Christine Wood (East Lansing/Haslett).

The Comets busted the game open in the seventh inning when they scored four runs on five hits. Two infield hits put the initial base runners on base. Senior Terri Hurosky (Nashville/Maple Valley) lined a single to left-center field to score Mayse. On the throw home, Hurosky went to second base and Grubb advanced to second.

Stratton walked to load the bases. Freshman Devon Mayse (Adrian/Madison) hit a two-run single to score Hurosky and Grubb. Palumbo followed with a single to score Stratton.

For the game, Grubb and Milheim each had two hits. Milheim scored two runs, while Grubb drove in two runs. In the circle, Stratton retired the first 14 batters, allowing only four total base runners in the game. She struck out four and walked none.

Olivet scored at least run in every inning against Northland, causing the game to end early due to the eight-run mercy rule. In the first inning, the Comets plated three runs. After Grubb reached base on a fielder's choice, three straight walks scored her with the first run. Palumbo then lined a double to score Hurosky and senior Lauren Lenard (Dimondale/Lansing Catholic).

Milheim hit a triple to leadoff the second inning and came around to score on a single by senior Alyssa Nielsen (Greenville). After the LumberJills scored their run in the top half of third, Olivet answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Nielsen lined a triple to plate sophomore Maddy Siebenmark (Bridgman).

The Comets scored two runs in the fourth inning. The first run was on a double steal, with Lenard stealing second base and Hurosky stealing home. The second run was on a first-and-third situation, with Lenard scoring while Mayse was caught in a rundown between first and second base.

Olivet ended the game with two runs in the fifth. Grubb hit a double to score freshman Molly Renfroe (Homer), who had come into the game to run for Siebenmark. With the bases full of Comets, freshman Maddie Carr (Milford) walked to bring in Grubb with the last run.

For the game, Nielsen went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Grubb and Milheim had two hits apiece. Lenard walked three times and scored two runs. Grubb threw 70 pitches, 50 for strikes, to earn her first win of the season. She struck out 10 batters.

After a day off tomorrow, Olivet is back in action Sunday against College of Wooster (Ohio) at 9 a.m. and Bethany Lutheran (Minn.) College at 11 a.m.