Softball team swept by Saint Mary’s, 9-2 and 6-1

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team was swept by Saint Mary's (Ind.) College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader on a sun-drenched afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Belles claimed 9-2 and 6-1 wins over the Comets.

In the opener, Saint Mary's scored a run in the top half of the first inning. Olivet answered by manufacturing a run in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Haley Reed and junior Kelsey Scheenks reached on back-to-back singles, and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by junior Taylor Smith. Junior Ashlynn Grubb then brought home Reed with a sacrifice fly.

The Belles surged ahead 3-1 with a pair of runs in the second inning before extending its lead to 5-1 on a two-run home run in the third inning. Saint Mary's added two more runs in the fourth and two runs in the seventh to go up 9-1. The Comets scored their final run in the seventh on back-to-back doubles by Smith and Grubb.

Olivet finished the game with nine hits. Grubb and Smith each had two hits. Both of Smith's hits were doubles, while Grubb had a single and a double. Other hits were singles by Reed, Scheenks, sophomore Larissa Ludwick, sophomore Konnor Geiger and freshman Hannah Hoover. In the circle, Grubb suffered the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits.

In the nightcap, the Belles plated a run in the first inning and three runs in the third for a 3-0 lead. Smith broke up a no-hitter by Saint Mary's with a home run over the center field fence in the fifth. The Belles responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning for their final two runs.

The Comets ended the game with just two hits – Smith's home run and a single by Grubb. The hit by Grubb extended her hit streak to 10 games. Junior Carrie Chamberlain was the losing pitcher after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits.

Olivet travels to play defending MIAA champion Trine (Ind.) University next Tuesday, April 19. First pitch is at 3:30 p.m.