Softball team defeats Hiram and New Jersey City at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team won two games today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. Behind a complete game pitching performance by senior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City), the Comets (9-1) defeated Hiram (Ohio) College, 3-0, in their first game. In the second game, Olivet had 16 hits and beat New Jersey City University, 16-7.

The game against Hiram was a pitcher's duel for the first four innings. The Comets broke the scoreless tie with three runs in the fifth inning. Freshman Christina Luna (Charlotte) led off the frame with a single to centerfield. Freshman Aryn Perkins (Lansing/Sexton) came in as a pinch runner. She moved up one base on a single to leftfield by freshman Kacey Darling (Hartford).

Perkins and Darling scored when freshman Kortney Ewing (Nashville/Maple Valley) hit a triple over the right fielder's head. Ewing came around to score on a single by freshman Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western).

Also recording hits in the game were junior Heather Hinesman (Hudson) with a triple and freshman Danielle Martin (Lansing/Catholic Central) with a single. In the circle, Anderson pitched seven innings. She allowed five hits, struck out 11 and did not walk a batter.

Against New Jersey, Olivet led 1-0 after one inning, 6-0 after two, 12-3 after three and 16-7 after five to end the game because of the eight-run mercy rule. Rosecrants and freshman Katie Walker (Lansing/Everett) each went three-for-five at the plate. Rosecrants' hits were two home runs and a single, while driving in six runs. Walker had three singles.

Perkins, junior Shannon Hall (Taylor/Truman) and freshman Heather Jones (Trenton) tallied two hits apiece. Hall and Walker each scored three times, and Jones collected three RBI.

In the circle, sophomore Kim Green (Portland) improved to 3-0 on the season after pitching three innings. She allowed three hits, three runs (one earned) and struck out three. In relief, junior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East) gave up two hits and four unearned runs in two innings.

The Comets wrap-up their spring break with two games tomorrow. At 1 p.m., they play Thomas More (Ky.) College, followed by a game against Penn-State Behrend (Pa.) University.