Softball team starts MIAA play with two losses at Trine

ANGOLA, Ind. – The Olivet College softball team started Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with two losses against  Trine (Ind.) University this afternoon at SportONE/Parkview Softball Field in Angola, Indiana.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Trine 12, Olivet 2; Trine 8, Olivet 2
Location: SportONE/Parkview Softball Field; Angola, Ind.
Records: Trine 20-4 overall, 3-1 MIAA; Olivet 13-7 overall, 0-2 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

• The Thunder scored two runs in the first inning and one run in the second inning to go up 3-0.
• The Comets got one run back in the third inning after sophomore Courtney Willson walked and came around to score on junior Andrea Rico's double.
• Trine answered with a run in the home half of the third inning.
• Olivet responded with its own run in the fourth on a solo home run by senior Konnor Geiger.
• The Thunder plated two runs in the bottom half of the fourth and six runs in the fifth to end the game early due to the eight-run mercy rule.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet was held to just five hits, including two by Willson out of the leadoff spot in the lineup.
• Other hits were Rico's double, Geiger's home run and a double by sophomore Jazmin Hildebrand.
• Sophomore Taylor Shellenberger suffered the pitching loss. She lasted just two and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on one hit.

FOR THE THUNDER

• Kaylee Fox was 3-for-3 with three home runs and seven RBI.
• Erica Robles had one hit, two runs scored and two RBI.
• Kate Saupe was the winning pitcher. She allowed the two runs on five hits, and struck out six.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

• Batting as the home team, the Comets took the early 1-0 lead when Willson hit a home run to lead off the first inning.
• Fox hit her fourth home run of the doubleheader in the top half of the second to level the score at 1-1.
• The Thunder added two runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 7-1 lead.
• A ground out plated another run for Trine in the seventh inning.
• Olivet scored its final run in the bottom half of the seventh. Freshman Kayla Blett walked, advanced to second on Shellenberger's single and crossed the plate after Hildebrand hit an RBI-single down the left field line.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet had five hits. The only extra base hit was Willson's home run.
• The rest were singles by Blett, Hildebrand, Rico and Shellenberger.
• Sophomore Gracie Boyle was charged with the pitching loss. She threw all seven innings, and yielded the eight runs (five earned) on 14 hits.

FOR THE THUNDER

• Robles was 3-for-5, with all three hits being singles.
• Mercede Daugherty and Michaela Hartline each had two hits, including a double.
• Emily White tallied two hits.
• Hannah Kampmann picked-up the pitching win. She allowed one run on three hits. Danielle Ray threw three innings in relief to earn the save.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• With her home run in game one, Geiger now has 10 career home runs to move into a tie for third all-time at Olivet.

UP NEXT

• The Comets host Alma College Tuesday, April 3, in their home-opener. First pitch from game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.