Softball: Olivet swept by Manchester

N. MANCHESTER, Ind. – The University of Olivet softball team was swept by Manchester (Ind.) University, 10-1 and 8-1, in a non-conference doubleheader this afternoon at the MU Softball Field.

• Final Scores: Manchester 10, Olivet 1 (5); Manchester 8, Olivet 1
• Location: MU Softball Field; N. Manchester, Indiana
• Records: Olivet 3-17 overall, Manchester 17-10 overall

• The Comets scored their only run in the top of the first inning. Freshman Kaitlyn Witkowski hit a leadoff single, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt, went to third on a fly out and crossed the plate on an error.
• The Spartans responded with 10 unanswered runs – two in the first inning and four each in the third and fourth innings.

• Olivet had three hits.
• The lone extra base hit was a double by freshman Michelle Michelin.
• Michelin was the losing pitcher after giving up six runs on eight hits over two and two-thirds innings.

• The Comets went ahead 1-0 with a single tally in the first inning when freshman Aubrey Starkel hit a sacrifice fly to score freshman Hannah Cron.
• The Spartans answered with two unearned runs in the bottom half of the first.
• Manchester added one more run in the third, four runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth for the 8-1 win.

• Olivet recorded five hits, all singles.
• Starkel suffered the pitching loss, as she allowed eight runs (six earned) on 17 hits over the first five innings.
• Sophomore Izzy Abalos threw a scoreless inning of relief.

• Olivet heads to Grand Rapids tomorrow for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader against Calvin University, starting at 1 p.m.