Softball team drops doubleheader at Franklin, 9-1 and 13-3

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Olivet College softball team was on the losing end of both games of a non-conference doubleheader to Franklin (Ind.) College this afternoon at Behrens Field.  The Grizzlies won the first game 9-1 and nightcap, 13-3.

Final Scores: Franklin 9, Olivet 1; Franklin 13, Olivet 3
Location: Behrens Field; Franklin, Indiana
Records: Olivet 0-5 overall, Franklin 6-6 overall

• The Grizzlies pushed across one run in both the first and second inning.
• Olivet got one run back in the top half of the third inning. Freshman Summer Smith led off with a double, advanced to third on sophomore Brielle Broderick's sacrifice bunt and came around to score on junior Erin Brady's sacrifice fly.
• Franklin plated four runs in the last half of the fourth to extend its lead to 6-1.
• The Grizzlies added three more runs in the fifth to end the game early because of the eight-run mercy rule.

• Olivet finished the game with four hits, including doubles by Brady, Smith and sophomore Katie Lenz.
• The fourth hit was a single by junior Jessica Barnes.
• In the circle, freshman Malaya Shireman was charged with the loss. She gave up the first two runs on three hits over an inning and two-thirds.

• The Grizzlies totaled 13 hits, with 11 singles and two doubles.
• Sydney Bostic went 4-for-4 at the plate. One of her hits was a double.
• Annie Kluemper had two hits and drove in three runs.
• Genesis Munoz tallied three hits and two RBI.
• Stephanni Kleber earned the pitching win. She scattered the four hits, while striking out six and not walking a batter over the seven innings.

• The Grizzlies took advantage of an Olivet error to score two runs in the first inning.
• Like game one, the Comets manufactured a run in the second inning. Freshman Meredith Morell smacked a leadoff single up the middle of the infield. She went to second on a wild pitch before taking third on Lenz's sacrifice bunt before scoring on senior Amber Trudeau's sacrifice fly.
• Franklin plated three more unearned runs in its half of the second.
• Olivet trimmed its deficit down to two runs, 5-3, with a two-out rally in the third inning. Broderick reached on a fielder's choice and took second on an errant throw by the shortstop. She hustled around the bases to score on a double to left field by Brady. After Barnes walked, Morrel brought home Brady with single to the left-center alley.
• The Grizzlies got a solo home run and six additional runs in the home half of the third to make the score 12-3.
• Franklin capped its scoring with a single tally in the fourth

• Olivet finished the game with five hits.
• At the plate, Brady and Morell each notched two hits, with a double and single.
• The fifth hit was a single for freshman Alaina McCormick.
• Lenz suffered the pitching loss after yielding 13 runs (five earned) over five innings in the circle.

• The Grizzlies recorded 12 hits, with five doubles, a home run and six singles.
• Bostic, Kluemper and Kennedy Bond each registered two hits.
• Kluemper crossed the plate three times.
• Three players each collected two RBI.
• Savannah Shadday went the first three innings in the circle to pick-up the win. She surrendered the three Comet runs on four hits.

• The Comets host Finlandia University for their home-opener next Tuesday, March 29. First pitch from game one of the doubleheader is at 3 p.m.