Softball team loses pair of games at Triangle Classic

CARY, N.C. – The Olivet College softball team lost a pair of game today at the 2017 Grand Slam Triangle Classic at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina. The Comets fell to Piedmont (Ga.) College, 6-1; and Averett (Va.) University, 17-3.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Piedmont 6, Olivet 1
Location: Thomas Brooks Park; Cary, N.C.
Records: Piedmont 5-4, Olivet 1-2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top half of the first inning. 
• The Comets tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning when junior Konnor Geiger hit a double off the fence in left field and came around to score on a double by freshman Courtney Willson.
• Piedmont scored an unearned run in the third, fourth and sixth innings to take a 4-1 lead. The Lions capped their scoring with a pair of runs in the seventh.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the game with 10 total hits.
• Willson was 3-for-3 with a double and RBI.
• Geiger and freshmen Taylor Shellenberger and Payton Watson each had two hits.
• Senior Carrie Chamberlain suffered the pitching loss after yielding six runs (three earned) on nine hits in six innings. She struck out five batters.

FOR THE LIONS

• Piedmont had nine hits, including two each for Allyson Gentry, Josie Coker and Haley McCurry.
• Rachel Oberholtzer collected two RBI.
• Sarah Walker picked-up the pitching win after allowing the one run and striking out seven.

THE BASICS

Final Score: Averett 17, Olivet 3 (5)
Location: Thomas Brooks Park; Cary, N.C.
Records: Averett 5-5, Olivet 1-3

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Olivet grabbed an early 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the first inning. Watson led off with a single, stole second base and went to third when the catcher threw the ball into center field. She came around to score on a sacrifice fly in foul territory off Willson's bat.
• Averett pushed across four runs in the top half of the third inning to take a 4-1 lead.
• The Comets answered with a pair of runs in bottom half of the third. Senior Taylor Smith singled up the middle and advanced to second on an infield hit by Shellenberger. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and then scored on Chamberlain's single.
• The Cougars put the game out of reach by sending 17 batters to the plate and scoring 12 runs in the fourth inning. They ended their scoring with a single tally in the fifth to end the game early due to the mercy rule.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet was held to five hits, including a 2-for-2 performance by Shellenberger.
• Freshman Gracie Boyle was the losing pitcher. She surrendered 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits in three innings.

FOR THE COUGARS

• Averett recorded 16 total hits, with 14 singles, one double and one home run.
• Four players each had three hits.
• Kaitlyn Aherron topped the team with three hits, three runs scored and five RBI.
• Jessica Long also had three hits and three runs scored.
• Taylor Bailey was the winning pitcher.

UP NEXT

• Olivet plays its final two games in North Carolina tomorrow morning. The Comets face Salisbury (Md.) College at 9 a.m., followed by a game against Greensboro (N.C.) College.