Softball team beats Emmanuel and Eastern Nazarene at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team won its fifth straight game with two victories today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. In the first game, the Comets recorded 14 hits and defeated Emmanuel (Mass.) College, 11-3. In the second game, freshman Corie Green (Brown City) pitched a complete game, two-hitter and Olivet beat Eastern Nazarene (Mass.) College, 3-2.

Against Emmanuel, the Comets (5-1) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning. The big hits in the inning were two-run singles by sophomore Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes) and junior Katelan Schoen (Climax-Scotts). Also tallying a RBI was junior Heather Hinesman (Hudson) off a triple to centerfield.

Freshman Katie Walker (Lansing/Everett) came around to score in the fourth inning on a RBI-single by freshman Danielle Martin (Lansing/Catholic Central). After the Saints scored three runs in the top half of the fifth, Olivet got those runs back in its half of the inning on a three-run home run by freshman Maurissa Warner (Lansing/Waverly). With no outs in the sixth frame, freshman Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) scored on a wild pitch to end the game because of the eight-run mercy rule.

At the plate, Hinesman, Martin, Rosecrants and Walker finished with two hits apiece, while Hinesman, Rosecrants and Walker each scored twice. In the circle, junior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East) earned the win, tossing four and one-third innings. She gave up five hits and two earned runs, while striking out five.

Against Eastern Nazarene, the Comets led 1-0 after the first inning. Freshman Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland) led off the frame with a double to centerfield, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielding error by the ENC shortstop.

The Crusaders took a 2-1 lead in the top of fifth when two walked batters came around to score. Olivet tied the game and tallied what proved to be the game-winner in its half of the fifth. Rosecrants doubled down the leftfield line to start the inning. On the play, she moved to third on a throwing error by the leftfielder. On the next hit ball by Martin, the ENC infielder tried to get Rosecrants out at home, but was unsuccessful. Martin moved to second on a single by Schmansky and scored on a single by freshman Christina Luna (Charlotte).

For the game, six different players tallied a hit for the Comets. In the circle, Greene struck out 12 batters to earn her first collegiate win.

Olivet will be idle tomorrow and resume play Wednesday, March 8 against Monmouth (Ill.) College at 9 a.m. and Pine Manor (Mass.) College at 11 a.m.