Softball team loses twice at Defiance, 4-3 and 6-0

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Olivet College softball team made its northern debut this afternoon and lost both games of a non-conference doubleheader against Defiance (Ohio) College at Sal Hench Field in Defiance, Ohio. The Yellow Jackets hung on to win the first game 4-3, before shutting out the Comets, 6-0, in the nightcap.

THE BASICS
Final Scores: Defiance 4, Olivet 3; Defiance 6, Olivet 0
Location: Sal Hench Field; Defiance, Ohio
Records: Defiance 7-7 overall; Olivet 8-10 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

• The Yellow Jackets plated an unearned run in bottom half of the first inning.
• Defiance used a two-out hit to push across two more runs in the second inning.
• The Comets cut their deficit down to one, 3-2, in the third inning when senior Taylor Smith hit a two-run home run.
• The Yellow Jackets added another unearned run in their half of the third to take a 4-2 lead.
• Olivet got that run back in the top half of the fourth on a leadoff home run by junior Konnor Geiger.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet out-hit Defiance, 6-5.
• Smith was 2-for-3 with a home run, double, walk and two RBI.
• Sophomore Dominique McKillop had the only other extra base hit, a double in the sixth inning.
• Freshman Bekah VanDam was charged with the pitching loss after yielding four runs (two earned) on three hits in two and two-thirds innings.
• Senior Carrie Chamberlain finished the game in relief and allowed two hits, while striking out three.

FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS

• Five different players had a hit.
• Emily Denhard recorded a two-run double.
• Sarah Kaya was the winning pitcher. She threw all seven innings, giving up three runs and striking out nine.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

• Defiance scored two runs in the first, second and sixth innings.
• The Comets never had more than one base runner in any of the innings.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the game with four hits, all singles by Geiger, and freshmen Haley Harty, Taylor Shellenberger and Payton Watson.
• Chamberlain was charged with the pitching loss, as she surrendered all six runs on eight hits in the complete game performance. She struck out five batters.

FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS

• Kaity Kuhn collected two hits and drove in three runs.
• Brooke Gostomsky also had of pair of hits.
• Jamie Kimbler threw the complete game, four-hitter. She walked one and struck out one.

UP NEXT

• Tomorrow's home doubleheader scheduled against Cornerstone University has been postponed. Olivet will now make its home debut next Wednesday, March 29, against Saint Mary's (Ind.) College. First pitch from game one is slated for 3:30 p.m.