Softball: Olivet sweeps Franciscan Steubenville, 7-2 and 14-3

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – The University of Olivet softball team completed the sweep against Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio) in a non-conference doubleheader today at the FUS Softball Field. The Comets won the opener, 7-2, before taking the nightcap, 14-3, in five innings.

• Final Scores: Olivet 7, Franciscan Steubenville 2; Olivet 14, Franciscan Steubenville 3 (5)
• Location: FUS Softball Field; Steubenville, Ohio
• Records: Olivet 3-11 overall, Franciscan Steubenville 1-23 overall

• Olivet took a 1-0 lead with a run in the second inning. After loading the bases, Kaitlyn Witkowski hit an infield single to bring home Alexis Bond.
• The Comets added another run in the third inning. Like the second inning, the bases were full, and Mattie Akom hit a single to score Michelle Michelin.
• Olivet extended its lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning when Bond launched a home run to lead off the frame.
• The Barons scored their first run in the bottom half of the fifth.
• The Comets plated two runs in the top half of the sixth before Franciscan Steubenville added a run in the last half of the sixth to make the 5-2.
• Olivet capped its scoring in the seventh inning on a two-run single by Morgan Rachow.

• Olivet totaled nine hits in the game.
• Bond was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI.
• Witkowski also had two hits.
• In the circle, Michelin picked-up the win. She gave up two runs on four hits over the complete game performance.

• Olivet scored two runs in the top of the first inning.
• A bases-loaded walk brought in a run for the Barons in the bottom half of the first.
• The Comets batted through the lineup nearly twice, scoring 12 runs in the second inning.
• Franciscan Steubenville plated two runs in the last half of the second.
• There was no more scoring in the game, as it ended early due to eight-run mercy rule.

• Olivet recorded 14 hits.
• Bond, Briana Gitchell, Ashlyn Christy and Autumn Wallington each had two hits.
• Both of Christy's hits were doubles.
• Christy and Haylie Wenke collected two RBI and two runs apiece.
• Witkowski scored three runs.
• Aubrey Starkel earned the win in relief of Gitchell. Gitchell threw the first inning and two-thirds, allowing three runs (zero earned) on four hits and three walks. Starkel pitched the next two and one-third innings and did not allow a hit.

• The Comets head to West Virginia tomorrow for a doubleheader at Bethany College, starting at 12 p.m.