Softball team splits doubleheader with Calvin

The Olivet College softball team split a doubleheader with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Calvin College this afternoon in Olivet. In the first game, the Comets (14-6, 0-2 MIAA) hit two home runs en route to a 5-0 victory. In the nightcap, the Knights (6-8, 1-1 MIAA) scored an unearned run in the seventh inning to win, 3-2.

In game one, Olivet scored three runs in the third inning. Freshman Katie Walker (Lansing/Everett) started the rally, reaching first base on a fielder's choice. Freshman Danielle Martin (Lansing/Catholic Central) stepped to the plate and sent the ball over the leftfield fence. Freshman Alisha Ridsdale (Laingsburg) followed with a solo homer to centerfield.

The Comets tallied two more runs in the sixth inning. Freshman Christina Luna (Charlotte) ripped a single through the right side of the infield to plate freshman Heather Jones (Trenton) and junior Katelan Schoen (Climax/Climax-Scotts).

For the game, Olivet out-hit the Knights, 6-4. Ridsdale had two hits. Jones, Luna, Martin and freshman Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) collected a hit a piece. Besides the home runs, extra base hits were doubles by Jones and Rosecrants. In the circle, senior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) went the distance. She allowed four walks and struck out five, while stranding nine Calvin runners on base.

In the nightcap, the Knights scored first with a run in the bottom of third. The Comets made the score 1-1 with a run in the top half of the fourth. Rosecrants singled up the middle, moved to second on a single by Walker and scored on a double by Martin. Calvin answered with a run its half of the fourth.

Olivet tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the top of seventh inning. Rosecrants ripped a double down the leftfield line. She came around to score when Martin ripped a triple off the centerfield fence. The Knights won the game in the bottom of seventh. A suicide squeeze bunt brought home the winning run when the runner slid under the tag at the plate.

At the plate, Martin was 3-for-4 with a single, double, triple and two RBI. The other hits were two by Rosecrants and one each by Schoen and Walker. Sophomore Kim Green (Portland) started in the circle and pitched four and one-third innings, allowing seven hits. Anderson was the hard luck loser, tossing two innings.

The Comets are next in action Saturday, April 9, when they host Adrian College at 1 p.m.