Softball team swept by Saint Mary’s, 1-0 and 9-2

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Olivet College softball team was swept by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) co-leader Saint Mary's (Ind.) College this afternoon at the Purcell Athletic Complex in South Bend, Indiana. The Belles, ranked No. 7 in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, eked out a 1-0 win in the opener before winning the nightcap, 9-2.

THE BASICS
Final Scores: Saint Mary's 1, Olivet 0; Saint Mary's 9, Olivet 2
Location: Purcell Athletic Complex; South Bend, Ind.
Records: Saint Mary's 31-3 overall, 13-1 MIAA; Olivet 17-13 overall, 4-8 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

• The Belles scored the only run in the third inning. The leadoff batter reached on a single, advanced to second on a ground out, stole third and came around to score on a throwing error by the Comet catcher.
• Olivet left the tying run stranded in scoring position in the sixth inning.
• In the seventh inning, the Comets had two runners on base before a pop-out ended the game.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet out-hit the Belles, 5-2.
• All five hits were singles by freshman Kayla Blett, sophomores Kinslea Blouin, Taylor Shellenberger and Courtney Willson, and junior Andrea Rico.
• Shellenberger was the hard-luck losing pitcher. She allowed the unearned run and struck out three in the complete game performance.

FOR THE BELLES

• Kelsey Keilman was 2-for-3, with a double.
• Morgan Raymer earned the pitching win. She did not walk a batter and struck out 11.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

• The Belles scored two runs in the first and third innings to take a 4-0 lead.
• The Comets pushed across their run in the home half of the third inning. Blouin hit a triple and crossed the plate on senior Konnor Geiger's single.
• Saint Mary's plated three runs in the fourth, one run in the fifth and one in the seventh for a 9-1 lead.
• Olivet scored an unearned run in the last part of the seventh to create the final score.

FOR THE COMETS

• At the plate, Shellenberger was 3-for-3 with three singles.
• Blouin had two hits in four at-bats.
• Three other players each had a base hit.
• Sophomore Gracie Boyle suffered the pitching loss after giving up six earned runs on nine hits over four innings.
• Freshman Julie O'Berry completed the game in relief and yielded two earned runs on three hits.

FOR THE BELLES

• Keilman went 4-for-4 with four runs scored.
• Mackenzie Duncan had two hits, including a double, and three RBI.
• Morgan Raymer did not have a hit but drove in three runs – one on a groundout, a second on a bases-loaded fielder's choice and the third on a bases-loaded walk.
• Jessica Alberts improved to 14-1 on the year in the circle, as she gave up one earned run on five hits over four innings.
• Mary Green tossed the final three innings in relief.

UP NEXT

• Olivet wraps-up a busy stretch of games tomorrow with a doubleheader at Kalamazoo College. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.