Softball team splits non-conference twinbill against Franklin

OLIVET, Mich. – Playing on its home field for the first time this season, the Olivet College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Franklin (Ind.) College on a sunny day at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets rallied to win the first game, 2-1, in eight innings before the Grizzlies won the nightcap, 7-4.

The first game was a pitcher's duel between Olivet freshman Ashlynn Grubb (LaGrange, Ind./Lakeland) and Franklin's Bailey Lindamood. The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Baylea Suiters. The Comets strung together three straight two-out hits to plate the tying run in the fourth inning.

Grubb singled through the right-side of the infield, followed by a single by senior Terri Hurosky (Nashville/Maple Valley). Freshman Shannon Huntley (Clio) then hit a single into shallow left field to score Grubb from second base. Neither team was able to get a runner into scoring position in the fifth through seventh innings.

Franklin loaded the bases in the eighth inning but the Comets got out of the jam with a foul fly out to third base. Olivet then scored the winning run in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman Molly Renfroe (Homer) was placed on second due to the international tiebreaker rule to start the inning. Freshman Jessica Palumbo (Oxford) sacrificed her to third base.

After a strikeout, senior Lauren Lenard (Dimondale/Lansing Catholic) walked and then stole second base. Junior Ashley Milheim (Eaton Rapids) then hit a dribbler down the third-base line, which just stayed fair and scored Renfroe.

For the game, both teams recorded five hits. Five different Comets each had one hit. In the circle, Grubb allowed the one run on five hits, while striking out three.

In the nightcap, Franklin scored a run in the second and three more runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Olivet got three runs back in its half of the third inning. Milheim drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by freshman Chantel Johnston (Williamston), who was then put out at second base when Hurosky reached on a fielder's choice.

Huntley lined a single to center field to move Hurosky over to third base. Freshman Devon Mayse (Adrian/Madison) hit an infield single to score Hurosky and advance Huntley to second base. A fielding error by the shortstop off a batted ball by sophomore Maddy Siebenmark (Bridgman) brought in Huntley with the third run of the inning.

The Comets had another two-out hit to tie the game in the fourth. Lenard walked and went to second base on Milheim's infield single deep in the hole at shortstop. Hurosky lined a sharply hit ball into centerfield to plate Lenard.

The Grizzlies took advantage of two Olivet errors to score three runs in the sixth inning. The Comets not able to mount a comeback, as they were retired in order in both sixth and seventh innings.

For the game, Olivet had nine hits. Mayse went 3-for-4. Six others each had a hit, with Siebenmark collecting the lone extra base hit, a double. Freshman Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc) started in the circle, allowing one unearned run on two hits in two innings. Freshman Kaityln Pirochta (Laingsburg/Perry) threw five innings of relief. She gave up six runs (four earned) on 11 hits to suffer the loss.

Olivet travels to Holland tomorrow to play Hope College for a rescheduled Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader, starting at 3:30 p.m.