Softball team sweeps Tri-State, 6-2 and 6-5

The softball team swept a doubleheader from Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Tri-State (Ind.) University this afternoon in Olivet. The Lady Comets (21-11, 10-4 MIAA) won the first game, 6-2. In the nightcap, Olivet tallied two runs in the seventh inning for a 6-5 come-from-behind victory.

With the sweep, the Comets also secured a spot in the 2005 MIAA Tournament next Thursday-Friday, May 5-6. As well, the 21 wins in 2005 are a school record, which surpasses the previous record of 20 set by the 1982 and 2000 teams.

In the first game, Olivet scored single runs in the first and second innings. The first-inning run was on a RBI-double by senior Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg-Augusta). Back-to-back doubles by junior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) and sophomore Shannon Hall (Taylor Truman) plated the second-inning run.

The Thunder (16-16, 7-7 MIAA) made the score 2-1 with an unearned run in the third inning. The Comets answered with two runs in their half of the third frame. Sophomore Heather Hinesman (Hudson) doubled home the first run and Anderson hit a single to score Hinesman.

Olivet put the game away with two runs in the fifth inning when freshman Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes) ripped a double and Anderson hit a sacrifice fly.

Anderson, Hinesman and seniors Jenn Newland (Tekonsha) and Jill Shufelt (Millington) collected two hits apiece. Four other starters each had a hit. In the circle, Anderson pitched all seven innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run.

In the nightcap, Tri-State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Using a two-out rally, the Comets broke through in the third frame with four runs. Senior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs) hit a double to score two runs. Daniels ripped a double to score two more runs. The Thunder came back with a run in the fifth and three runs in the sixth inning to take a 5-4 lead.

In the seventh inning, Newland laced a double off the left field fence to score Hall from second base and sophomore Katelan Schoen (Climax-Scotts) from first base.

For the game, Hall and Newland had two hits each while Schoen scored twice. In the circle, freshman Kim Green (Portland) pitched the first five and one-third innings. She allowed six hits, four runs (one earned). In relief, Anderson picked-up the win.

Olivet is next in action Saturday when it hosts MIAA-leader Alma College for two games beginning at 1 p.m. The doubleheader versus Huntington (Ind.) College, which was originally scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed and will now be played Monday, May 2 at 4 p.m