Softball team splits two games at NPU Invitational

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Olivet College softball team split two games on a blustery afternoon at the 2018 North Park University Invitational at the Holmgren Athletic Complex in Chicago, Illinois. The Comets rallied to beat the host Vikings, 8-7, in eight innings before being shut out by Simpson (Iowa) College, 2-0.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Olivet 8, North Park 7 (8)
Location: Holmgren Athletic Complex; Chicago, Ill.
Records: North Park 4-9 overall, Olivet 12-3 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Comets scored two runs in the top half of the first inning before the Vikings answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.
• Olivet took a 6-4 lead when they pushed across four runs in the fifth inning. North Park evened the score with two runs in the home half of the sixth inning.
• Both teams left the winning run stranded in scoring position in the seventh inning.
• The Comets used a two-out rally to score two runs in their half of the eighth inning. Junior Andrea Rico was hit by a pitch and came around to score when sophomore Kinslea Blouin deposited a pitch over the fence in left-center field.
• The Vikings plated one run in the last half of the eighth. North Park had two runners at the corners before a fielder's choice and out at second base ended the game.

FOR THE COMETS

• Sophomore Jazmin Hildebrand collected three hits, including a double, and two RBI in three trips to the dish.
• Blouin had two hits and two RBI.
• Sophomore Taylor Shellenberger hit a triple and drove in two runs.
• In the circle, sophomore Gracie Boyle won her fifth game of the season. She gave up the seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits, while striking out eight batters.

FOR THE VIKINGS

• Hayley Jackson was the losing pitcher after allowing all eight runs (five earned) on 13 hits. At the plate, she tallied three hits.
• Four others each had two hits.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Simpson 2, Olivet 0
Location: Holmgren Athletic Complex; Chicago, Illinois.
Records: Simpson 12-3 overall, Olivet 12-4 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Storm used a sacrifice fly to plate a run in the first inning.
• The Comets loaded the bases in the fifth inning but an out at the plate and pop out ended the threat.
• In the sixth, Olivet left the tying run stranded in scoring position.
• Simpson plated an unearned run in the top half of the seventh.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet had just four hits in the game. The lone extra base hit was a double by sophomore Payton Watson.
• Shellenberger was the hard-luck losing pitcher. Both runs she allowed were unearned.

FOR THE STORM

• Three players had two hits apiece.
• Emily Bell was the winning pitcher. She threw all seven innings and gave up the four hits, with eight strikeouts.

UP NEXT

• The Comets play the same two schools tomorrow. The difference is Olivet faces Simpson first at 2 p.m. ET, followed by a game against North Park.