Softball team swept by Hope

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team was swept by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Hope College, 13-0 and 9-1, this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex.

• Final Scores: Hope 13, Olivet 0 (5); Hope 9, Olivet 1 (5)
• Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 0-14 overall, 0-8 MIAA; Hope 18-12-1 overall, 4-4 MIAA

• The Flying Dutch pushed across three runs in the first inning before adding seven runs in the third and three runs in the fourth for the 13-0 run-rule victory.
• At the plate, senior Erin Brady went 2-for-2 with a double and single for Comets' only two hits. In the circle, sophomore Malaya Shireman was tagged with the loss, as she yielded 10 earned runs on 13 hits over three and two-thirds innings. Freshman Madison Milot tossed an inning and one-third of scoreless relief.
• Four Hope players posted a multi-hit game. Kyra Acker and Sydney Zombo each drove in three runs. Jennaka Bultman earned the pitching win in relief of starter Grace Connelly. Bultman struck out six over the final two and two-thirds innings.

• Batting first in game two, the Comets used a two-out rally to score their run in the first inning. Junior Meredith Morrell singled through the left-side of the infield. Freshman Madison Mervine entered the game as a pinch runner. After the second out was recorded, she went to second on senior Jessica Barnes' single and came around to score on sophomore Summer Smith's single.
• Hope immediately answered with five runs in the home half of the first. The Flying Dutch then scored one run in each of the next four to end the game early.
• Olivet finished the game with seven hits. Brady tallied two more hits, while Morell also had two hits. Barnes suffered the pitching loss after allowing six earned runs on seven hits and eight walks over the four and one-third innings.
• From the leadoff spot in the lineup, Peyton Benjamin was 4-for-4 with three stolen bases.
• Zambo and Mya Spisz collected two RBI apiece. Bultman picked-up the pitching win.

• The Comets travel to Grand Rapids Saturday for a doubleheader at Calvin University. First pitch from one game is at 1 p.m.