Boyle’s complete game pitching performances help softball sweep Alma, 7-0 and 7-5

OLIVET, Mich. – Behind complete game pitching performances from junior Gracie Boyle, the Olivet College softball team swept a doubleheader from Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Alma College today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets shutout the Scots, 7-0, in the first game and rallied to win the nightcap, 7-5.

Final Score: Olivet 7, Alma 0; Olivet 7, Alma 5
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Mich.
Records: Alma 11-11 overall, 1-5 MIAA; Olivet 14-10 overall, 3-3 MIAA

• The Comets pushed across four runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded, junior Jazmin Hildebrand ripped a single through the pitcher's legs and into the centerfield to score two runs. After a fielder's choice out at second, freshman Danielle Erickson hit a double in the right-center field gap to score two more runs.
• Olivet added another run in the third inning when junior Taylor Shellenberger lined a single up the middle to plate senior Kinslea Blouin.
• Hildebrand capped the scoring with a two-run home run to dead center field in the fifth inning.
• Alma did not have a runner reach third base until the seventh inning.

• Boyle scattered seven hits over the seven innings, while walking one and striking out two.
• At the plate, Hildebrand was 2-for-2 with four RBI.
• Blouin was officially 1-for-1 with two walks, two stolen bases and three runs scored.
• Senior Andrea Rico had two singles.

• McKenzie Creed, Hannah Fleming and Haydn Terwilliger all went 2-for-3.
• The lone-extra base hit was a double by Fleming in the seventh inning.
• Jazmine Hamm suffered the pitching loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits over five innings.
• Amanda Efaw threw a scoreless inning of relief.

• The Scots plated two runs in the bottom half of the second inning.
• Olivet used a two-out rally to score four runs in the top half of the third inning. After Rico walked, Blouin hit a towering home run over the right-field fence. Freshman Kaylee Clothier lined a double into the right-center gap. Sophomore Paige Poulter entered the game as a pinch runner, and Hildebrand was intentionally walked. Shellenberger lined a double over the out-stretched outfielder's glove in left-center. Poulter scored from second, and Hildebrand hustled around the bases to score from first base.
• Alma used a two-out bloop single to tie the game in the last half of the third inning.
• The Comets took a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning. With runners on second and third, Blouin drew an intentional walk. On ball four, the Scot catcher attempted to pick-off freshman Dayoni Mahlich at third base. Instead the ball sailed trickled off her third baseman's glove and into left field. Mahlich rushed home with the go-ahead run.
• Olivet added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. A pinch-hit single by Erickson scored Shellenberger in the fifth, and an RBI-double by Clothier plated Blouin in the sixth.
• The Scots left a runner stranded in scoring position in the sixth inning. In the bottom of seventh, a two-out double down the left field line scored one run and put runners on second and third base. A ground out to shortstop was recorded for the third out to end the game.

• Boyle allowed the five runs (four earned) on 10 hits, with zero walks and strikeouts.
• At the plate, Blouin, Clothier and sophomore Kayla Blett had two hits apiece.
• Both of Clothier's hits were doubles.
• Blouin scored two runs and drove in a pair of runs.
• Shellenberger had two RBI.

• Terwilliger was 4-for-4.
• Madyson Piche collected two hits, including a double, and three RBI.
• Efaw was charged with the pitching loss in relief of starter Haley Ullrich. Efaw surrendered the final three runs (two earned) on six hits over four and one-third innings. Ullrich tossed the first two and one-third innings, yielding four runs on three hits.

• With her home run in the second game, Blouin has tied the Olivet record with 13. Kacey Darling also hit 13 home runs from 2006-09.

• The Comets welcome Trine (Ind.) University to the Cutler Athletic Complex Saturday for two games, starting at 1 p.m.