Softball team falls to Spalding, 14-6

DANVILLE, Ky. – The Olivet College softball team wrapped-up its season-opening trip to Danville, Kentucky, with 14-6 loss to Spalding (Ky.) University today at the Boyle County Park. The second game Transylvania (Ky.) University was not played due to a lack of pitching for Olivet.

Final Score: Spalding 14, Olivet 6 (6)
Location: Boyle County Park; Danville, Kentucky
Records: Spalding 1-2 overall, Olivet 0-3 overall

• Spalding pushed across four runs in the bottom half of the first inning.
• Olivet answered with a run in the top half of the second inning. With the bases loaded, freshman Alaina McCormick executed a suicide squeeze bunt to score sophomore Ella Jeske.
• The Golden Eagles stretched their lead to 7-1 with three runs in the home half of the second inning.
• An error by the Spalding shortstop allowed the Comets to plate two unearned runs in the third inning.
• A solo home run for the Golden Eagles put them up 8-3 at the end of four innings.
• Olivet scratched across three runs in its half of the fifth inning. Sophomore Brielle Broderick reached on an error to lead off the inning. She went to second on a wild pitch before a single by junior Erin Brady advanced her to third base. Brady took second base on the throw to put two runners in scoring position. Freshman Meredith Morrell roped a two-run double. A sacrifice bunt moved Morrell to third base, and she can around to score on sophomore Katie Lenz's RBI-single.
• Spalding scored five runs on six hits in the last half of the fifth and capped the scoring with a single run in the sixth inning to end the game after six innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.

• Olivet tallied five hits.
• Extra base hits were Morrell's double and double by freshman Malaya Shireman.
• The other three hits were singles by Brady, Lenz and freshman Summer Smith.
• Morrell scored two runs and collected two RBI.
• In the circle, Shireman suffered the loss. She gave up five runs (three earned) on two hits in the first inning.
• Lenz tossed the final four innings in relief, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits.

• Spalding totaled 13 hits.
• From the leadoff spot in the lineup, Rylee Phillips was 3-for-4 with a triple, two singles, two RBI and three runs scored.
• Jessica Tucker also had three hits, including a home run to go along with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored.
• Kori Calvert picked-up the pitching win, as she allowed the six runs on three hits. She struck out five.
• Bella Velez earned the save, as she pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

• The Comets are now off until Friday, March 25, when they travel to play Franklin (Ind.) College for a doubleheader. Game one is slated to begin at 3 p.m.