Softball team splits two games at Sun West Tournament

The Olivet College softball team split two games today at the third day of the 2004 Sun West Tournament hosted by Chapman University in Orange, California. The Lady Comets rallied from a 5-2 deficit after five innings to defeat Ohio Northern University, 7-5, and lost a heartbreaker, 3-2, against Concordia (Calif.) University.

Against Ohio Northern, Olivet scored two runs in the first inning on a two-out double by senior catcher Theresa Flowers (Waterford Kettering High School). The Polar Bears tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the first before adding two in the second and one in the third.

In the sixth inning, senior Jenna Little (Ortonville Brandon High School) ripped a double to plate two runners. Junior centerfielder Jill Shufelt (Millington High School) walked with the bases loaded to force in the game-tying run.

Junior shortstop Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs High School) started the seventh inning off by reaching second base on a throwing error by the ONU third baseman. She advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a single to right field by senior first baseman Kim Horanburg (Grand Ledge High School). After a wild pitch and ground out, Horanburg moved up to third base. Horanburg scored on a ground out by senior Kari Munson (Lansing Eastern High School).

At the plate, Flowers and Little had two hits and two runs batted-in apiece. Horanburg scored two runs. Sophomore Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City High School) pitched seven solid innings. She allowed six base hits and five runs (one earned).

Against Concordia, the Comets scored two runs in the first inning on a double to leftfield by Horanburg. Concordia rallied with a run in the fifth inning and stealing the game with two unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning.

At the plate, Horanburg collected two base hits. Junior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha High School) pitched four scoreless innings to start the game and gave up five base hits. Sophomore Carrie Abbott (Bad Axe High School) suffered the loss in relief. She allowed four hits and struck out three batters.

The Comets will wrap-up play at the Sun West Tournament tomorrow, March 5. They will play Elizabethtown (Pa.) College at 10:45 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. game against Menlo (Calif.) College.