Softball team splits season-opening games at Triangle Classic

CARY, N.C. – The Olivet College softball team split its season-opening games today at the 2017 Grand Slam Triangle Classic, hosted by William Peace (N.C.) University and held inside Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina. The Comets were shutout by William Peace, 5-0, before rallying to beat North Carolina Wesleyan College, 9-8.

THE BASICS
Final Score: William Peace 5, Olivet 0
Location: Thomas Brooks Park; Cary, N.C.
Records: William Peace 4-5, Olivet 0-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Comets' best chance to score came in the fourth inning when senior Taylor Smith led off with a single and went to third on a double by senior Carrie Chamberlain. A pop out and two strikeouts ended the scoring threat. 
• The Pacers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning with an unearned run.  
• William Peace extended its lead to 5-0 with four more unearned runs in the sixth inning. 

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet's only hits were the two in the fourth.
• Smith reached base safely twice.
• In the circle, Chamberlain was the losing pitcher after giving up the first run on one hit in four and one-third innings. Freshman Gracie Boyle threw the final inning and two-thirds in relief, allowing the four unearned runs on three hits.

FOR THE PACERS

• At the plate, Lindsey Wiggins went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
• Kelsey Durham was credited with the pitching win.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Olivet 9, North Carolina Wesleyan 8
Location: Thomas Brooks Park; Cary, N.C.
Records: North Carolina Wesleyan 1-3, Olivet 1-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Comets took a 1-0 lead with a run in the home half of the first inning. Freshman Payton Watson singled and went to second base on a fielding error by the left fielder. She came around to score on a double to the left-center field gap by Smith.
• The Battling Bishops pushed across six runs in the top of third inning.
• Olivet tied the game at 6-6 with a 5-run fifth inning. Junior Konnor Geiger walked, and Boyle and freshman Courtney Willson reached on back-to-back infield singles to load the bases. Sophomore Dominique McKillop then launched a 2-1 pitch over the fence in center field for a grand slam home run. Sophomore Hannah Hoover walked and advanced to second on a single by Watson, went to third on a fielder's choice off the bat of freshman Taylor Shellenberger came around to score on Smith's single off the fence in left field.
• North Carolina took the lead back, 7-6, with a single tally in the fifth.
• The Comets re-gained the lead, 9-7, in the bottom half of the fifth when Shellenberger hit a bases-loaded double to score three runs.
• The Battling Bishops scored one run and had the bases full in the sixth inning. A called third strike ended the inning.
• North Carolina Wesleyan left the tying run stranded in scoring position in the seventh inning.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the game with 10 hits.
• Smith was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Watson went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
• Six other players each had one hit.
• Three pitchers tossed in the game. Shellenbeger started in the circle and lasted only two and one-third innings, yielding six runs (three earned) on three hits. Boyle threw the next three innings to earn the win. She allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out three. Chamberlain pitched the final inning and two-thirds to pick-up the save. She gave up two hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter.

FOR THE BATTLING BISHOPS

• Brittany Manning, Tiffany Manning and Natalie Boykin each had two hits.
• Tiffany Manning drove in three runs, while Boykin collected two RBI.
• Shelby Godwin started the game in the circle and gave up six runs on eight hits in four innings.
• Lindsey Sharpe was charged with the loss, as she surrendered the final three runs on two hits in two innings.

UP NEXT

• Olivet plays two more games in North Carolina against Piedmont (Ga.) College at 9 a.m., and Averett (Va.) University at 3 p.m.