Softball team splits its first two games at the Gene Cusic Classic

The softball team split its first two games of the 2005 season at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. In their first game, the Lady Comets banged out 14 hits and five home runs en route to an 11-0 win over Dominican (Ill.) University. In the second game, Olivet fell 7-4 to Anna Maria (Mass.) College.

Against Dominican, the Comets tallied four runs in the third inning on a three-run homer by senior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs) and a solo homer by freshman Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes). Olivet added three more runs in the fifth inning when sophomore Heather Hinesman (Hudson) hit a run-scoring double and senior Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg/Augusta) blasted a two-run homer. The Comets closed the scoring with a four-run seventh inning. Daniels and Shunkwiler each hit a two-run homer in the inning.

For the game, Daniels, Hinesman, Shunkwiler, sophomore Katelan Schoen (Climax/Scotts) and senior Jill Shufelt (Millington) collected two hits apiece. Shunkwiler scored three runs while Daniels, Hinesman and Shufelt each scored twice. Shunkwiler and Daniels had five and four RBI, respectively.

In the pitching circle, junior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) tossed five solid innings to pick-up the win. She allowed two hits and struck out six batters. In relief, junior Carrie Abbott (Bad Axe) pitched two innings.

Against Anna Maria (AM), Olivet jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. AM tied the score in the bottom of the second and took a 4-1 lead with three runs in the third. The Comets tallied single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings while AM had a run each in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning.

For the game, Shufelt was four-for-four with a home run and two RBI. Shunkwiler added two base hits, including a double. Senior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha) scored two runs. Freshman Kim Green (Portland) was tagged with the loss after pitching the first three and one-third innings. Anderson finished the game in the circle.

Olivet will continue its spring break trip with two games tomorrow. At 9 a.m., the Comets will play Rockford (Ill.) College, followed by a game against Carlow (Pa.) College.