Softball Earns Key Split with Olivet

A long awaited return to the diamond for the Stockbridge softball team finally happened Thursday as the Panthers traveled to Olivet for a pair of games with what many consider the GLAC conference favorite Eagles.

The Panthers had not seen the field for nearly two years and shook off a little rust to earn a split with Olivet dropping the opener 2-1 and bouncing back to take the second 13-1.

Stockbridge threatened in the top of the first after an Alexis Hightower single and a walk put two runners on, but a pop out ended the threat.

Panthers pitcher Bailey Bartrum was unhittable for the first three innings and nine Eagles came to the plate and nine Eagles sat down after striking out.

Olivet broke through in the fourth when the Eagles loaded the bases with a single, HBP and walk. An error plated two runs to give Olivet the lead after four.

Stockbridge threatened in the sixth when Hannah Lockhart and Joslynn Caskey led off the inning with singles. Makayla Surline singled home a run to make it 2-1 with one out, but a strikeout and a fly out ended the inning and the Panthers went out in order in the seventh to end the game.

Hightower and Caskey collected two hits each to lead the offense. Arin Szumlinki added a triple, while Surline had a hit and RBI and Lockhart a hit and run scored.

Bartrum was dominant on the mound other then the one bad inning. She struckout 13 and allowed just three hits in the loss.

The Panthers bats were on fire in the second game and they benefitted from six Olivet errors to mercy the Eagles in the second game.

Surline collected her first career home run with a three-run blast in the third to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead.

Olivet got one back in the bottom of the third with a homerun, but the Panthers put the game away in the fifth with seven runs.

Surline finished with her homerun and three RBI, while Lockhart had two hits and a RBI to lead the offense. Bartrum added two hits and Caskey a hit and two RBI. Hightower and McKenzie Noble each had a hit and RBI and Madison Mazuca drove in a pair of runs for the Panthers.

Bartrum was again strong on the mound allowing just one hit and striking out seven for the win for the Panthers.

Stockbridge will host rival Leslie in another key GLAC doubleheader Monday at 4:00. The Blackhawks are another team that people are thinking will compete for the GLAC title this season.