Softball team splits doubleheader with Alma

The softball team split a doubleheader with nationally-ranked and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College today in Olivet. Senior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs) drove in the game-winning run as Olivet rallied to win the first game, 5-4. Alma bounced back to win the nightcap, 5-1.

With the split, Alma (26-8, 14-2 MIAA) will be the No. 1 seed and host the 2005 MIAA Tournament next Thursday and Friday, May 5-6. Olivet (22-12, 11-5 MIAA) will be the No. 4 seed and will play the Scots Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m.

In today's first game, Alma scored two runs in the top of third inning. The Comets answered with four runs in their half of the third. Junior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) walked to lead off the inning. Sophomore Shannon Hall (Taylor/Truman) hit a single. Sophomore Katelan Schoen (Climax-Scotts) ripped a double into the right centerfield gap to score Anderson and move Hall to third base.

Senior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha) laced the ball down the left field line and advanced all the way to third base when the Alma leftfielder bobbled the ball in the leftfield corner. On the play, Hall and Schoen scored. After two outs were recorded, senior Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg Augusta) hit a blooper between the second baseman and rightfielder as Newland easily from third base.

Alma tied the game at 4-4 with a two-run double in the sixth inning. In the seventh inning, Schoen hit a single to lead off the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. Newland reached first base on a perfect bunt single and Schoen scampered to third base. Senior Jill Shufelt (Millington) was intentionally walked to load the bases. Shunkwiler delivered on a 3-0 pitch with a single to right centerfield, which scored Schoen with the game-winning run.

At the plate, Newland and Schoen each collected two hits. Anderson went the distance in the circle and improves to 14-5 this season. She allowed eight hits and struck out five batters. Anderson now has 31 career victories, which ties the college's career record. Jessica Davenport also had 31 wins from 1998-2000.

In the nightcap, Alma raced out to a 5-0 lead with two runs in the first inning, one run in the second and two runs in the fifth. Olivet scored its run in the sixth inning. Shufelt reached first base on a bunt single. Shunkwiler hit a single to move Shufelt to second base. Shufelt then scored on a double to the left centerfield gap by freshman Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes).

For the game, Shufelt was two-for-three. In the circle, freshman Kim Green (Portland) suffered the loss. She allowed nine hits and five runs while striking out three.

Monday's rescheduled doubleheader with non-conference foe Huntington (Ind.) College has been cancelled and will most likely not be made up.