Softball team swept by Hope, 5-0 and 12-1

The Olivet College softball team was swept by Hope College today in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader at Buys Field in Holland. The Flying Dutch (19-9, 10-1 MIAA) won by scores of 5-0 and 12-1.

In the first game, Hope scored two runs in the first inning and three more in the second inning. Freshman Christina Luna (Charlotte) broke up Becky Whitman's no-hitter with a single to lead off the sixth inning. The Comets (18-10, 4-6 MIAA) only other hit was a triple by freshman Alisha Ridsdale (Laingsburg).

In the circle, senior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) was charged with the loss, pitching six innings. She allowed six hits, four earned runs, while striking out four and walking one.

In the nightcap, the Flying Dutch tallied three runs in the first inning on a triple with the bases loaded. They added two runs in the third, one in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 8-0 lead. Olivet avoided the mercy rule ending as freshman Kacey Darling (Hartford) hit a home run with two outs in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Hope closed out the scoring with a four-run seventh inning.

At the plate, Darling was 2-for-3. The other two Comet hits were singles by sophomore Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes) and junior Katelan Schoen (Climax/Climax-Scotts). Sophomore Kim Green (Portland) pitched the first four innings to pick-up the loss in the circle. She allowed six runs on six hits. In relief, freshman Corie Green (Brown City) gave up seven hits and six runs in three innings.

Olivet will take a break from MIAA play and host Concordia University Thursday, April 20, for a non-conference doubleheader, beginning at 3:30 p.m.