Softball team splits doubleheader at Cornerstone

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Cornerstone University in contrasting fashion this afternoon in Grand Rapids. The Comets posted an 11-3 run-rule victory in game one. The Golden Eagles came back to win the nightcap, 3-0.

In the first game, Cornerstone plated two runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Olivet came back to take a 4-2 lead with a four-run fourth inning. With the bases loaded, senior Sydney Tharp drew a walk to bring home freshman Kristen Gressley. Sophomore Katie Ordiway roped a two-run single into right field to plate senior Christine Wood and sophomore Larissa Ludwick. Sophomore Haley Reed lined an RBI-single into left field to score Tharp.

Cornerstone cut its deficit down to one run with a run in the home half of the fourth inning. The Comets responded by sending 11 batters to the dish and exploded for seven runs in the top half of the fifth inning. Juniors Taylor Smith and Ashlynn Grubb reached base to start the inning, and both came around to score on a double to deep centerfield by junior Carrie Chamberlain.

Freshman Hannah Hoover came into the game to run for Chamberlain, and she advanced to third base on an infield single by Ludwick. Sophomore Konnor Geiger laced a single up the middle to score Hoover and move Ludwick to second base. Sophomore Olivia Peraino entered to run for Ludwick. A ground out moved the runners up one base.

Reed then slapped a single up the middle of the infield to score Geiger and Peraino. Junior Molly Renfroe reached on an infield single to advance Reed safely to second base. Smith capped the inning with her second hit of the frame, an RBI-double to Reed and Renfroe.

The Golden Eagles left a runner stranded on the base in the fifth. But it was not enough to prevent from the game from ending early due to the eight-run mercy rule.

At the plate, the Comets recorded 12 base hits. Smith was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Ludwick went 2-for-2 with a double. Reed also collected two hits to go along with a team-best three RBI. Chamberlain and Ordiway each had one hit and two RBI. In the circle, Grubb allowed three earned runs on seven hits in five innings to earn her seventh win of the season and move into a tie for second on the all-time pitching wins list in school history.

In the nightcap, Olivet had the bases loaded in the second inning but a lineout ended its scoring threat. Cornerstone dented the scoreboard for the first time in the third inning when it used a two-out double to the left-center field gap to score a run. The Comets had a base runner in the fourth inning and left the tying run stranded at third base in the fifth inning.

Olivet left another runner on base in the top half of the sixth inning. The Golden Eagles added to their lead with a two-run home run in the home half of the sixth. The Comets brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh but failed to score any runs.

For the game, Olivet was limited to only four hits. Geiger was 2-for-2 with a pair of singles. Ludwick had the only extra base hit, a double in the second inning. Chamberlain was the losing pitcher after giving up three earned runs on eight hits in six innings.

The Comets are off until next Tuesday, March 29, when they play a doubleheader at Bluffton (Ohio) University. First pitch for game one is slated for 3:30 p.m.