Softball team splits two games to open Spring Break trip to Florida

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Olivet College softball team opened its 2020 spring break trip to The Spring Games by splitting two games at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex in Leesburg, Florida. In the first game, the Comets jumped out to an 8-0 lead and hung for an 11-5 win over Chatham (Pa.) University. In the second game, a late Olivet rally fell short in a 5-3 loss to Neumann (Pa.) University.

Final Score: Olivet 11, Chatham (Pa.) 5
Location: Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex; Leesburg, Fla.
Records: Chatham 1-8 overall, Olivet 1-3 overall

• In the bottom of first inning, the first three Comets reached base safely. Sophomore Kaylee Clothier deposited the first pitch over the fence in centerfield for a grand slam. Olivet added four more runs on back-to-back RBI-doubles by sophomore Karina Marin and freshman Erin Brady, and two-run single by senior Taylor Shellenberger.
• The Cougars plated five runs over the next two innings to make the score 8-5.
• The Comets got those three runs back with two runs in the fourth inning and one run in the fifth inning. The first run in the fourth was on an RBI-single by sophomore Danielle Erickson, and the second was on an RBI-single by Marin. The fifth inning run was a solo home run by freshman Jessica Barnes.

• Barnes threw all seven innings to earn her first collegiate pitching win. She scattered seven hits and five walks over the seven innings.
• At the plate, Olivet totaled 17 hits, with eight starters having at least one hit.
• Clothier went 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBI.
• Barnes helped her own cause with three hits and three runs.
• Junior Kayla Blett also had three hits.
• Marin, Shellenberger and senior Jazmin Hildebrand finished with two hits apiece.

• Kelsey Benjamin and Alyssa Hoffman each had two hits.
• Three players drove in one run apiece.
• Julie Swedberg suffered the pitching loss. She yielded nine earned run over the six innings.

Final Score: Neumann (Pa.) 5, Olivet 3
Location: Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex; Leesburg, Fla.
Records: Neumann 5-5 overall, Olivet 1-3 overall

• The Comets manufactured a run in the top half of the third inning. Freshman Kaitlyn Hortsdaniel hit a single, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt and came around to score on a double by junior Kayla Blett.
• The Knights used a two-out rally to push across five runs in the bottom half of the third.
• Olivet loaded the bases in the sixth inning, and Hildebrand brought home Shellenberger and senior Payton Watson with a single to right field.
• The Comets brought the tying run to the plate but two strikeouts and a fly out ended the game.

• Watson tallied two of the eight Olivet hits.
• Six others each had one hit.
• Shellenberger started in the circle and was tagged for four earned runs on five hits to be charged with the loss.
• Erickson tossed three and one-third innings of scoreless relief.

• Bri Lagroteria went 2-for-2 with two RBI.
• Nicole Wisser also had two RBI.
• Wisser was the winning pitcher, as she allowed three runs on eight hits in the complete game performance.

• Tomorrow, Olivet faces Gordon (Mass.) College at 2:30 p.m., followed by a game against Wheaton (Ill.) College.