Softball: Comets swept by Bluffton, 5-1 and 10-2
The Olivet College softball team lost both games of a non-conference doubleheader against Bluffton (Ohio) University on a sunny afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.
OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team lost both games of a non-conference doubleheader against Bluffton (Ohio) University on a sunny afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Beavers won by scores of 5-1 and 10-2.
In game one, Bluffton hit a single, double and triple in the second inning to plate two runs. The Beavers added a run in the third inning on a solo home run and then another tally in the fourth inning on an RBI-single to go up 4-0.
The Comets scored their run in the home half of the fourth. Freshman Madison Spry hit a double to lead off the inning, went to third on a ground out and crossed the plate on sophomore Ashlynn Grubb's RBI-single to center field. Bluffton got the run back on a solo home run in the fifth inning. Olivet had base runners in each of the last two innings but failed to score.
For the game, the Comets had seven hits, with only one extra-base hit, while the Beavers had nine hits, with five extra-base hits. Spry was 2-for-2 and scored a run. Sophomore Kelsey Scheenks also had two hits. In the circle, Grubb yielded five runs, four earned, on eight hits with seven strikeouts in six innings. Freshman Becca Neal threw a scoreless inning of relief.
In game two, Bluffton took advantage of two Olivet errors to score five runs in the first inning. The Comets managed to get two runs back in their half of the first. With Spry at third base and Grubb at second base, freshman Kris Forest lined 1-1 pitch into left-centerfield to score both runners. The Beavers answered with a two-run homer in the third inning, one more run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth to end the game early because of the eight-run mercy rule.
Olivet was limited to three hits, all singles by Forest, Spry and senior Ashley Milheim. Bluffton had seven hits, and four went for extra bases – two doubles and two home runs. Freshman Delaney Maki suffered the pitching loss after giving up eight runs, three earned, on five hits in four innings. Neal tossed an inning of relief.
Weather permitting, the Comets will host Hope College for their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
NOTES: Milheim has reached base safely in 18 straight games dating back to last season. Overall in 51 career games in a Comet uniform, she has been on base in 48 games with a .492 on-base percentage, which currently ranks second all-time at Olivet. Forest is riding a six-game hit streak and has driven in at least one run in eight games this season.