Softball team splits pair of one-run decisions to Calvin

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team split a pair of one-run decisions to Calvin College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets won the first game, 4-3, before the Knights rallied to win the nightcap, 5-4.

In game one, Calvin took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. Olivet quickly answered in the bottom half of the inning when senior Lauren Lenard (Dimondale/Lansing Catholic) deposited a full-count pitch over the fence in right field for her first collegiate home run.

The Knights grabbed a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back squeeze plays at the plate, resulting in a pair of runs. The Comets took the lead with a three-run fifth inning. Freshman Jessica Palumbo (Oxford) singled through the left-side of the infield and came around to score on a triple by junior Ashley Milheim (Eaton Rapids).

Lenard was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Senior Terri Hurosky (Nashville/Maple Valley) executed Olivet's own squeeze play to score Milheim. On the play, the Calvin first baseman threw the ball away to allow Hurosky to take second base and Lenard take third. Freshman Ashlynn Grubb (LaGrange, Ind./Lakeland) hit a sacrifice fly to plate Lenard with the go-ahead run.

The Knights had the tying run in scoring position with nobody out in both the sixth and seventh innings, but failed to score a run. The tying run was even on third base in the sixth inning, as Lydia Gildea hit a leadoff triple.

Olivet finished the game with seven total hits. Lenard and senior Alyssa Nielsen (Greenville) each had two hits, while Lenard scored two runs. Four different Comets drove in a run. In the circle, Grubb earned the win. She allowed one earned run on six hits, while striking out five.

Batting first in game two, the Comets plated four runs in their first at-bat. Milheim led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Lenard. Hurosky then lined a triple, which just landed fair down the right field line to drive in Milheim. Grubb hit a single off the pitcher's glove to put runners at first and third.

On a batted ball by Nielsen, the second baseman elected to throw the ball home but her throw was high, allowing Hurosky to score. The throw also advanced Grubb to third and Nielsen advance an extra base. Palumbo walked to load the bases.

Sophomore Maddy Siebenmark (Bridgman) hit a ball, which was misplayed by the third baseman and allowed Grubb to score and re-load the bases. Freshman Devon Mayse (Adrian/Madison) grounded out to the pitcher to plate Nielsen with the fourth run of the inning.

Calvin one run back in the home half of the first inning. The Knights made the score 4-2 with another run in the fourth inning. Olivet had two hits, including a pinch-hit single by freshman Maddie Carr (Milford) in the sixth inning, but did not score.

The Knights scored three times in the sixth inning. After the leadoff batter reached on an error, Calvin hit back-to-back doubles, with the second one run plating the tying run. A sacrifice moved the winning run to third and then their third squeeze play of the game scored it. Olivet had the tying run on base in the seventh, but a lineout double play ended the game.

The Comets out-hit the Knights, 7-5. Grubb was 3-for-4. Milheim reached base safely in all four of her plate appearances, twice on base hits and twice on a walk. Grubb suffered the hard-luck pitching loss, as she allowed just two earned runs.

Olivet plays its next three MIAA doubleheaders at home, beginning Saturday against Saint Mary's (Ind.) College. First pitch from game one is slated for 1 p.m.