Softball team falls to Trine in MIAA doubleheader

ANGOLA, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team was on the losing end of both games of a doubleheader to defending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) champion Trine (Ind.) University today at SportONE/Parkview Softball Field in Angola, Indiana. After the Thunder won game one 17-0, they hung on to beat the Comets, 5-3, in game two.

In the opener, Trine scored a run in the first inning before adding five more runs, including four unearned, in the second inning to take a 6-0 lead. The Thunder then exploded for 11 runs, with the final nine being unearned, in the fourth inning. Junior Ashlynn Grubb broke up Justin Robles' perfect game bid with a single to start off the fifth inning. Sophomore Larissa Ludwick lined a double to right field for the Comets' second hit.

Grubb was charged with the pitching loss after giving up nine runs (four earned) on 11 hits in three and one-third innings. In relief, junior Carrie Chamberlain recorded the final two outs but allowed eight unearned runs on five hits.

In the nightcap, Trine plated two runs in the first inning and one run in the second and third innings to go up 4-0. Olivet used a two-out rally to score its first run in the bottom half of the third inning. Junior Kelsey Scheenks drew a walk, went to second on junior Taylor Smith's single and scored on Grubb's RBI-single.

The Comets cut their deficit down to two runs with another run in the fourth inning. Sophomore Haley Reed led off with a triple and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Smith. Trine scored a run on its own sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to go back up by three runs, 5-2.

Another two-out rally helped Olivet score a run in its half of the sixth inning. Senior Sydney Tharp drew a walk on four straight pitches to start the inning. Junior Devon Mayse sacrificed her to second. After the second out was recorded, Scheenks singled and Smith walked to load the bases. Grubb lined a 1-1 pitch up the middle of the infield to score Tharp. A ground out stopped the rally.

In the seventh inning, the Comets brought the go-ahead run to the plate with nobody out, as Chamberlain reached on an error and sophomore Konnor Geiger hit a single to begin the inning. Two straight foul outs and a ground out ended the game.

For the game, Olivet out-hit the Thunder, 13-11, as every starter had at least one hit. Grubb was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Smith went 2-for-2, while Geiger also had two hits. Chamberlain went the distance in the circle, surrendering four earned runs while striking out three.

The Comets are off until Saturday when they travel to Kalamazoo College for a doubleheader against the Hornets, starting at 2 p.m.