Softball team defeats Clark and Kenyon

The softball team defeated Clark (Mass.) University, 8-0, and Kenyon (Ohio) College, 8-3, today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. The Lady Comets end their Spring Break trip with a 5-1 record.

Against Clark, Olivet tallied three runs in the first inning, one run in the third inning and two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings. At the plate, Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City), Heather Hinesman (Hudson), Katelan Schoen (Climax-Scotts) and Jill Shufelt (Millington) had two base hits apiece. Anderson collected two RBI while Schoen hit a two-run home run. In the circle, Anderson improved to 3-0 on the season with a complete game, four-hitter. She struck out four batters.

Against Kenyon, the Comets jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run homer by senior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs). Olivet added a single run in the second inning, two more runs in the fourth inning and closed the scoring with three runs in the fifth inning. For the game, Anderson and freshman Jessica Schmansky (Clarkson/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes) had two hits each.

Other extra base hits for the Comets were a double by Anderson and triples by Hinesman and sophomore Shannon Hall (Taylor/Truman). In the circle, junior Carrie Abbott (Bad Axe) picked-up the win, pitching four innings. She allowed one base hit. In relief, junior Stephanie Green (Leroy/Pine River) tossed one inning and freshman Kim Green (Portland) pitched two innings.

The Comets are idle until Saturday, March 19, when they travel for a non-league doubleheader at Manchester (Ind.) College. The first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.