Softball: Olivet splits home-opening doubleheader against Grace Christian

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Grace Christian University this afternoon in its home opener at the Cutler Athletic Complex. The Comets won the first game, 11-3, in five innings before the Tigers came back to win the nightcap, 10-7.

• Final Scores: Olivet 11, Grace Christian 3 (5); Grace Christian 10, Olivet 7
• Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 1-5 overall, Grace Christian 2-12 overall

• Grace Christian jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the top half of the first inning.
• The Comets immediately answered with three runs in their half of the first. After reaching on an infield single, freshman Kaitlyn Witkowski stole second and third base before scoring on a single by freshman Zola Smith. A double steal scored the second run and sophomore Mattie Akom drove in the third run.
• Olivet needed one hit and took advantage of two Tiger errors to plate three runs in the second inning.
• The Comets added two more runs in the third inning on an RBI-single by senior Brielle Broderick and RBI-double by senior Meredith Morell.
• Olivet used a two-out rally to push across two runs in the fourth inning. Freshman Olivia Burt led off with a triple and after the second out was recorded, Akom had an RBI-triple. Freshman Morgan Rachow then hit an RBI-single.
• The Comets capped their scoring in the fifth inning. Morrell was hit by a pitch and then hustled around the bases on Witkowski's triple over the centerfielder's head.

• For the game, Olivet stole 13 bases which is the most in a game since the 2003 season.
• Individually, Witkowski had four stolen bases to tie for the second-most in a game since 2003.
• At the plate, Akom was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI.
• Morell collected two hits, two runs and two RBI.
• Witkowski also had two hits and two runs.
• Freshman Michelle Michelin earned the pitching win. She allowed three earned runs on four hits over the first three innings.
• Freshman Briana Gitchell tossed two scoreless innings of relief.

• The Tigers grabbed a 4-0 lead with three runs in the second inning and one run in the third inning.
• Olivet got three runs back in the home half of the third on RBI-singles by freshmen Zola Smith, Ashlyn Christy and Hannah Cron.
• Grace Christian immediately answered with three runs in the top of fourth inning.
• The Comets trimmed their deficit to 7-4 with a single tally in the last half of the fourth.
• Two runs in the fifth and one runs in the sixth stretched the Tigers' advantage to 10-4.
• Olivet rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Witkowski drove in the first run, and freshman Alexis Bond hit a two-run single.

• Olivet totaled 11 hits.
• Bond was 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
• Smith recorded two hits and drove in two runs.
• Witkowski scored two runs and stole three bases.
• Sophomore Izzy Abalos was the losing pitcher. She gave up the first four runs on six hits over three innings.

• Olivet plays a doubleheader Thursday at Bluffton (Ohio) University. First pitch from game one is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.