Softball team splits home-opening doubleheader against Defiance

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team split its home-opening doubleheader against Defiance (Ohio) College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets won the first game, 9-1, in five innings before the Yellow Jackets salvaged the split with a 10-3 win in game two.

In the opening game, Olivet plated two unearned runs in the third inning. Senior Sydney Tharp reached on a fielder's choice. After the second out was recorded, sophomore Haley Reed lined a single into left field. The outfielder misplayed the ball, allowing Tharp to score and Reed to take third base. Junior Kelsey Scheenks followed with a single to plate Reed.

The Comets then batted around and scored five runs in the fourth inning to go up 7-0. With bases loaded, sophomore Konnor Geiger hit the ball to the shortstop who tried to get the out at the plate but the throw was not in time, and junior Ashlynn Grubb scored.

Tharp then lined a double into the right-center field gap to score freshmen pinch runners Kristen Gressley and Hannah Hoover. Junior Devon Mayse walked to re-load the bases. Reed followed with a hit into left field to plate Geiger. Following a pitching change and strikeout, junior Taylor Smith hit a sacrifice fly to score Tharp.

Defiance scored its run on a solo, pinch-hit home run. Olivet ended the game with a pair of runs in the fifth. Back-to-back-to-back doubles by junior Carrie Chamberlain, Geiger and Tharp helped provide the runs.

At the plate, Tharp was 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI. Geiger had two hits and two RBI. Reed also collected two hits. In the circle, Grubb scattered four hits over the five innings to improve to 6-0 on the season.

In the nightcap, the Yellow Jackets scored six runs in the second inning and one more run in the third inning for a 7-0 lead. Olivet scored its first run in the fourth inning on an unusual play. With runners at second and third base, sophomore Katie Ordiway lined the ball towards the shortstop. The umpire ruled a catch, and the Yellow Jackets doubled off the Comet runner at second base, but sophomore Larissa Ludwick safely scored from third base.

Olivet got two more runs back in fifth inning. Smith reached on an infield single and went to third base on Grubb's double. Chamberlain roped a single deep over the right fielder's head to score the runners. Defiance scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh for its final three runs.

Grubb and Smith both finished 2-for-4 with one run scored. Ludwick and Tharp were each 2-for-3. All four had one double apiece. Chamberlain drove in two runs. In the circle, Chamberlain started and gave up seven runs (four earned) in three innings. Grubb threw four innings of relief and surrendered two earned runs on five hits.

The Comets will travel to Grand Rapids next Wednesday, March 23, to play a non-conference doubleheader against Cornerstone University. First pitch from game is slated for 3:30 p.m.