JOLIET, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene softball team dropped both games of its CCAC-opening doubleheader to St. Francis on Wednesday afternoon at Harlow Lockwood Field.

The Tigers were limited to just three hits in the opening game but rebounded with an 11-hit performance in Game 2, including a late push that fell just short. Junior Kahiwa Ili led the offense in the second contest, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Allie Timm added two doubles and drove in two, while Faith Mikos and Rose Mwaro each collected two hits.

St. Francis used a five-run third inning to take early control and never looked back. The Fighting Saints capitalized on defensive miscues from ONU, scoring six unearned runs in the game and adding insurance in the fourth. The Tigers' lone run came courtesy of a solo home run from Shylar Boze, her first of the season, to lead off the fifth. ONU starter Allie Timm allowed six runs (one earned) in two innings of work, while Olivia Saldana struck out three over four frames of relief. The Tigers were held to three hits in the game and stranded five runners. 

ONU responded in Game 2 with a fast start, plating four runs in the second behind RBI hits from Ili, Timm and Marlee Smardo. After St. Francis pulled ahead 5-4 in the third, the Tigers chipped away with a solo home run from Elyse Hurst and a sacrifice fly from Kaylin Cook. Mwaro's two-run double in the top of the seventh tied the game at 7-7, completing a three-run rally. But the Fighting Saints delivered a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom half to sweep the series. Timm finished 2-for-4 at the plate and took the loss in the circle after relieving Saldana, who threw five innings and gave up four earned runs.

Looking Ahead

ONU continues conference play with a doubleheader at Viterbo University on Mar. 28th. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. CST in La Crosse, Wis.

—ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu