Softball: Olivet uses long ball to sweep Albion, 12-1 and 12-0

ALBION, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team hit six home runs to sweep a doubleheader from Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College today at Dempsey Field in Albion. The Comets hit two homers to win the first game, 12-1, and then roped four more dingers to win game two, 12-0. Both games ended after five innings because of the eight-run mercy rule.

The Comets scored two runs in their first at-bat of game one. Senior Ashley Milheim led off the game with an infield single and advanced to second on sophomore Kelsey Scheenks' sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Ashlynn Grubb brought home Milheim with a single up the middle. The Briton center fielder threw the ball away on the play, and Grubb advanced to third. Freshman Kris Forest then ripped a double to deep right field to plate Grubb with the second run.

After Albion got one run back in the home half of the first inning, sophomore Jessica Palumbo answered on the second pitch of the top half of the second with a solo home run over the center field fence.

Following two outs, the top of the order helped the Comets score six more runs. Milheim and Scheenks each walked. Grubb lined a double into the left-center field gap to score Milheim. Forest walked to load the bases. Freshman Konnor Geiger hit a single just over the first baseman's head for an RBI-single to plate Scheenks and re-load the bases. Freshman Madison Spry cleared the bases by depositing a 2-1 pitch over the left-center fence for a grand slam home run.

Olivet used another two-out rally to push across three runs in the fifth inning. Spry walked, freshman Olivia Peraino had a pinch-hit infield single and sophomore Kristen Acuna walked to load the bases. Milheim stroked a single through the left-side of the infield to score Spry and Peraino. Scheenks then hit a single to score freshman Haley Reed who re-entered the game to run for Acuna.

Offensively, eight of 10 Comet starters had at least one hit and nine-of-10 had at least one run scored. From the leadoff spot in the lineup, Milheim was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Grubb also collected two hits and two runs scored. Spry scored twice and had four RBI. In the circle, Grubb improved to 6-5 on the season after yielding the one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Olivet used another long ball to take an early 2-0 lead in the first inning of game two, as Scheenks hit a her first collegiate home run, a 2-run shot over the fence in left field. The Comets then took advantage of three Briton errors to score three more runs in the inning.

Olivet extended its lead to 9-0 in the second inning. After Milheim and Scheenks reached base on hits, Forest rocketed a 0-1 pitch over the center field fence for a three-run homer. Spry greeted a new pitcher not so kindly by sending the first pitch deep over the fence in right field for a solo home run.

Reed singled to center field before two outs were recorded in the third inning. Grubb then reached on an error to put runners at second and third. Forest then lined a pitch over the fence for her second 3-run home run of the game. Olivet did not score any runs in the fourth inning; however, freshmen Katie Ordiway and Rachel Zeiler each collected their first collegiate hits in pinch-hit appearances.

At the plate, the Comets finished the game with 12 total hits. Forest was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and six RBI. Scheenks went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. Palumbo also collected two RBI. In the circle, freshman Delaney Maki earned the win after allowing one hit in three innings.

Olivet stays on the road to play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at Saint Mary's (Ind.) College.

NOTES: The four home runs by the Comets in game two tied for the second-most in a single-game in school history. Forest is the seventh player in school history to hit two home runs in one game, while her six RBI ties for the second-most in a game for a player.