[Softball] Oliver leads Bees to split on Senior Day

Alyia Oliver had an RBI double and allowed just one hit over five scoreless innings to lead St. Ambrose to a 2-0 win over Trinity International in the second game of a doubleheader at St. Vincent's Wednesday. The Trojans won the opener 1-0 to prevent a Bee sweep on Senior Day.

Oliver's double came in the first inning, on the heels of Olivia McClintock's lead-off double, to give SAU a 1-0 lead.

She made that lead hold up. Oliver struck out two and was perfect through four innings before allowing a lead-off double to start the fifth. TIU (12-20, 5-13 CCAC) ultimately put runners on first and third with one out but Oliver pitched her way out of it.

The Bees added an insurance run in the sixth. Alyssa Schumacher started the frame with a single and pinch runner Aleah Wight stole second and third. Logan Frerichs hit a deep flyball to center to score Wight.

Jane Thomas closed out the one-hitter by issuing just one walk over the final two innings to earn the save.

Allison Polly and Kaitlyn Sandora added hits in the victory.

Polly had all three of the SAU hits in the first game. She singled in the second and fourth innings and tripled to start the seventh.

The seventh was the Bees' best opportunity to score. After Polly's triple, Megan Vrbovsky reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners. Pinch runner Natalie Desmond stole second. With one out, Colleen Barrett walked to load the bases, but the threat ended there.

St. Ambrose was unable to take advantage of strong efforts from all three Bee pitchers.

Erica Ralfs allowed three hits and a run over the first three innings. Oliver worked three scoreless innings in relief before Thomas struck out two in her inning of work.

Between games, St. Ambrose recognized its four seniors - Barrett, Frerichs, Olivia Haas and Tara Lance.

The Bees, now 17-9 overall and 11-7 in the CCAC, will visit St. Francis (Ill.) Friday.