Softball team sweeps Albion, 4-2 and 10-5

The softball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play this afternoon with a doubleheader sweep at Albion College. The Lady Comets (10-4, 2-0 MIAA) manufactured two runs in the seventh inning to win the first game, 4-2. In the nightcap, Olivet scored seven runs in the third inning en route to a 10-5 victory.

In the first game, the Comets scored two runs in the fifth inning. Senior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs) hit a double to score senior Jill Shufelt (Millington) with the first run. Shunkwiler scored when the Albion second baseman dropped a fly ball. Albion tied the score with two runs in the third inning. Neither team pushed any runs across the plate in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Senior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha) walked to start the Comet rally in the seventh inning. Shufelt then put down a perfect bunt, and the Briton pitcher threw the ball down the right field line. Newland and Shufelt went to third and second base, respectively on the error. Shunkwiler delivered a clutch hit to score Newland and move Shufelt to third base. Senior Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg-Augusta) drove in Shufelt with a groundout to second base.

At the plate, Shunkwiler collected three hits and two RBIs. Newland, Shufelt, sophomore Heather Hinesman (Hudson) and freshman Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes) each had a single. In the circle, junior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) improved to 6-1 on the season with a complete game, three-hitter. She walked one and struck out three Albion batters.

In the nightcap, Olivet tallied its first run in the second inning. Shunkwiler led off the third inning with a home run over the left centerfield fence. This year, she has hit five home runs to break the Olivet single-season record. Daniels reached base on a single and came around to score on a double by Hinesman. Following a Briton pitching change, Schmansky singled home Hinesman. Sophomore Shannon Hall (Taylor Truman) reached first base on a single. Sophomore Katelan Schoen (Climax-Scotts) continued the rally with a single to score Hinesman. Newland brought home Hall and Schoen with a double. An Albion error led to the last Olivet run in the inning.

The Britons (12-6, 0-2 MIAA) took advantage of two Comet errors to score five runs, three earned, in the top half of the fourth inning. Olivet struck right back, posting two unearned runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning.

For the game, Schmansky was four-for-four with a double and three singles. Shunkwiler had two hits – the home run and a double. Six other Comets had a hit apiece with eight players scoring at least one run. Freshman Kim Green (Portland) earned the win in the circle. She pitched three and one-third innings, allowed four hits and struck out four batters. Anderson picked-up her first collegiate save. She tossed the final three and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit.

The Comets are next in action Sunday when they host Wittenberg (Ohio) University for a non-league twinbill beginning at noon.