Softball team loses both games of home twin bill against Adrian

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team lost both games of a home Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader against Adrian College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. In game one, the Comets rallied from a 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead before the Bulldogs scored four runs in the top of seventh to win the game, 7-4. Adrian then used two big hits to win the nightcap, 4-0.

In the first game, the Bulldogs scored three runs in the first inning on an RBI-double by Karissa DeVore followed by a two-run home run by K'ya Toles-Burton. Olivet scored its first run in the fourth inning. Sophomore Konnor Geiger hit a single to centerfield, and sophomore Olivia Peraino came into the game to run for her. A ground out advanced Peraino to second. Junior Devon Mayse lined a sharply hit ball into left-center field to score Peraino.

Adrian had only runner get into scoring position from the second through sixth innings. The Comets started their rally in the bottom of sixth. Geiger lined a double over the centerfielder's head. A sacrifice bunt from senior Sydney Tharp advanced her to third. Sophomore Haley Reed drew a four-pitch walk. Junior Kelsey Scheenks cleared the bases with a home run over the fence in left field to put Olivet on top, 4-3.

The Bulldogs scored four runs on just one hit in the top half of the seventh inning to take the lead back 7-4. Olivet went down in order in the home of the seventh.

The Comets out-hit Adrian, 9-6. Geiger and Reed were each 2-for-3 with a single and double. Junior Carrie Chamberlain also had two hits. In the circle, junior Ashlynn Grubb was the tough-luck loser, as she gave up the seven runs (three earned) and struck out seven batters.

The second game began in similar fashion to the first game, as the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run home run by DeVore. Olivet's first chance to score came in the fourth inning when Grubb and Chamberlain hit back-to-back two-out singles before an out ended the inning.

The next inning, the Comets left two runners stranded in scoring position. Olivet had the bases loaded in the sixth inning. After the ball went past the Adrian catcher, Tharp was thrown out trying to score when the pitcher tagged her out. The Bulldogs used that momentum to score two runs in the bottom half of the sixth and then retire the Comets 1-2-3 in the seventh.

Olivet also out-hit Adrian in this game, 6-4. Grubb was 2-for-3. The only extra base hit was a double by junior Taylor Smith. Chamberlain was charged with the pitching loss after allowing the four earned runs in the complete game performance.

The Comets will close out the 2016 season tomorrow when they host Calvin College at 1 p.m.