Softball: Olivet starts conference play with two losses to Hope

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team started Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with two losses to Hope College, 10-1 and 5-2, today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

In the opener, the Flying Dutch score two runs in the first inning and one more run in the second for a 3-0 lead. The Comets scored their only run in the third inning. Senior Ashley Milheim reached on catcher's interference before scoring all the way from first base on freshman Madison Spry's double. Hope added two more runs in the fifth and broke the game open with a five-run seventh inning.

At the plate, Olivet was held to five total hits. Sophomore Ashlynn Grubb led the way with two hits. Milheim, Spry and sophomore Jessica Palumbo had one hit apiece. Grubb suffered the pitching loss after giving up six earned runs on 11 hits.

Batting as the visiting team in the nightcap, the Comets took a 2-0 lead with two runs in the top half of the first inning. Milheim led off the game with a single and went to second on sophomore Kelsey Scheenks' sacrifice bunt. Grubb reached on an infield single to put runners on the corner bases. After Grubb stole second base, freshman Kris Forest hit an RBI-single to plate Milheim and advance Grubb to third. Forest took second base on the throw home. Spry then lined a single to centerfield to score Grubb.

Hope tied the game with a pair of unearned runs in the third inning. The Flying Dutch scored the go-ahead runs in the fourth before adding an insurance run in the sixth inning.

Like the first game, Olivet had five hits in the second game. Grubb went 2-for-3 with two singles. Forest, Milheim and Spry each had a single. In the circle, freshman Delaney Maki was charged with the loss after allowing three earned runs on 11 hits.

The Comets return to the field tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. when they host Alma College.