Softball team splits home MIAA doubleheader against Albion

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team split a home Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader against Albion College today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Britons won the first game, 7-4. Behind a complete game, three-hitter by freshman Gracie Boyle, the Comets claimed a 2-1 victory in the nightcap.

THE BASICS
Final Scores: Albion 7, Olivet 4; Olivet 2, Albion 1
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Mich.
Records: Olivet 10-18 overall, 1-7 MIAA; Albion 7-19 overall, 1-7 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

• The Britons manufactured a run in the top half of the first inning.
• The Comets responded with a run in their half of the first. Freshman Payton Watson hit the first pitch she saw up the middle. After two outs were recorded, she stole second before scoring on an RBI-single by freshman Kara Gjeltema.
• Albion scored a pair of unearned runs in the third to take the lead back, 3-1.
• Olivet pushed across one run and left the bases loaded in the home half of the third.
• The Britons broke the game open with a three-run sixth inning. Two of the runs came around to score on bases-loaded walks.
• In the seventh, Albion added another unearned run.
• The Comets pushed across two runs in the home half of the seventh. Recording RBI hits in the inning were senior Taylor Smith and freshman Taylor Shellenberger.

FOR THE COMETS

• Despite the loss, Olivet out-hit the Britons, 10-9.
• Gjeltema, Smith and Watson were all 2-for-4 at the plate.
• Watson stole two bases.
• Smith drove in a pair of runs.
• Sophomore Nikole Kern scored two runs.
• Freshman Bekah VanDam was the losing pitcher after giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits in four and two-thirds innings.
• Senior Carrie Chamberlain allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits in an inning and one-third of relief.
• Boyle tossed a scoreless inning of relief.

FOR THE BRITONS

• Angela Hoffsis batted 4-of-5 and scored three runs from the leadoff spot in the lineup.
• Kara Suwarsky and Ashley Witkowski each collected two RBI.
• Brianna Charron threw all seven innings, surrendering four runs (one earned), while striking out three.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

• The Comets scored a run in the top half of the first. Watson drew a walk and came all the way around to score on Shellenberger's double down the right field line.
• Olivet extended its lead to 2-0 when freshman Jazmin Hildebrand deposited a 2-0 pitch over the fence in center field for her first collegiate home run.
• In the circle, Boyle had a perfect game through three and two-thirds innings. After allowing a two-out hit in the fourth, she retired the next seven batters.
• The Britons mounted a comeback in the seventh. A fielder's choice scored the first run. With only one out, Boyle got out of the jam by inducing outs on back-to-back pitches to end the game.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the game with five hits.
• Shellenberger had a double and a single.
• Sophomore Dominique McKillop recorded two singles and walked in her other plate appearance.
• Watson walked twice, scored a run and stole a base.
• Boyle needed 81 pitches to get through the seven innings and improve to 6-7 on the season.

FOR THE BRITONS

• Suwarsky had two of the three Albion hits.
• Rebecca Rodriguez suffered the pitching loss.

UP NEXT

• Olivet is in Holland on Saturday to play Hope College for a doubleheader, starting at 1 p.m.