Softball team posts pair of mercy-rule wins over Oberlin, 10-1 and 14-1

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team celebrated Senior Day by posting a pair of five-inning, mercy-rule wins over Oberlin (Ohio) College, 10-1 and 14-1, in a non-league twinbill today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. With the win in game one, the Comets broke the single-season record for victories. Olivet now has a 26-9 overall record.

In the opener, Oberlin took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run. The Comets quickly answered in the bottom half of the first inning. Junior Ashley Milheim (Eaton Rapids) hit a leadoff triple to the right-center gap and scored on an RBI-groundout by senior Terri Hurosky (Nashville/Maple Valley). 

Olivet took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the third frame. Milheim walked to start the inning. After two outs were recorded, Milheim stole second base and crossed the dish on a double by freshman Ashlynn Grubb (LaGrange, Ind./Lakeland). Senior Alyssa Nielsen (Greenville) followed with a single through the left-side of the infield to plate Grubb.

The Comets put the game out of reach when they sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Sophomore Maddy Siebenmark (Bridgman) and freshman Jessica Palumbo (Oxford) hit back-to-back doubles to start the inning. Freshman Kelsey Scheenks (Bronson) brought in the second run with a sacrifice fly.

After Hurosky hit a single and Grubb walked to load the bases, Nielsen had a hard-hit single deflected by the third baseman and into left field for a two-run double. Senior Lauren Lenard (Dimondale/Lansing Catholic) followed with her own two-run hit, and Siebenmark capped the scoring with her second double of the inning to score Lenard.

Olivet finished the game with 11 hits. Milheim was 2-for-2 with three runs scored. Lenard, Nielsen and Siebenmark also each had two hits. Nielsen drove in three runs. In the circle, Grubb allowed the run on two hits, while striking out six and walking nobody.

Like the first game, the Yeowomen plated a run in the first inning. However, this time, the Comets responded with a three spot in the home half of the first. Grubb drove in the first run, while the second and third runs scored when the left fielder dropped a fly ball off Lenard's bat.

Olivet busted the game open in the fourth inning when batters came to the plate and 11 runs crossed the plate. With the bases loaded, Grubb cleared them with a triple. Nielsen hit a double to score Grubb. Lenard then deposited a pitch over the fence in right-center field for a two-run home run.

Freshman Kaitlynn Totten (Buckley/Kingsley) entered the game as a pinch hitter and kept the inning going by drawing a walk. Palumbo hit a double to advance Totten to third. Milheim lined a single into right field to score two more runs, and she went to second on the overthrow by the right fielder. A throwing error on a batted ball by Scheenks scored another run.

Hurosky hit a double to put runners on second and third. Grubb then roped a double over the center fielder's head to plate the final two runs. The Oberlin batters were retired 1-2-3 in the fifth.

For the game, the Comets tied their season-high with 16 hits. Grubb was 3-for-4 with six RBI, which ties for the second-most in school history for a game. Milheim also went 3-for-4, while scoring two runs and driving in two. Hurosky, Lenard, Nielsen and Palumbo also collected two hits each. Scheenks scored three runs. Freshman Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc) threw a complete game, three-hitter. She struck out seven and the only run she gave up was unearned.

The Comets rescheduled, non-conference doubleheader against Defiance (Ohio) College has been cancelled and will not be made up. Olivet now turns its attention to the 2014 MIAA Tournament Thursday and Friday, May 1-2 at Trine (Ind.) University. The third-seeded Comets will play second-seed Hope College Thursday morning at 11 a.m.