Softball team splits its first two games of 2007 season

The Olivet College softball team opened its 2007 season with a 1-1 record today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. The Comets fell to Capital (Ohio) University, 6-1, and scored three runs in the seventh inning to beat Alfred (N.Y.) University, 6-3.

Capital jumped out to a 4-0 lead with one run in the third inning and three more runs in the fourth inning. Olivet got on the scoreboard in the top half of the fifth inning when sophomore Kacey Darling (Hartford) hit a solo home run over the left-centerfield fence. The Crusaders closed the scoring with two runs in their half of the fifth frame.

For the game, the Comets had six base hits, while Capital had four hits. Sophomore Alisha Ridsdale (Laingsburg) was two-for-three with a pair of singles. Senior Shannon Hall (Taylor/Truman) along with sophomores Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) and Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union) each had a single. In the circle, sophomore Corie Greene (Brown City) suffered the loss. She yielded five earned runs and struck out four batters.

Alfred took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The Comets battled back to take a 3-1 lead with three runs in the top half of the fourth inning. Ridsdale walked to lead off the inning. Sophomore Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) came in to run for Ridsdale. Junior Amy Cooper (Bath) ripped a single through the leftside of the infield, which moved Bowerman up to second base.

Sophomore Heather Jones (Trenton) stepped to the plate and ripped a two-run double off the fence in left-centerfield. Following an out, Jones stole third base and scored on a groundout by Hall.

The Saxons came back to tie the score at 3-3 with a run in their half of the fourth and another in the sixth. Olivet answered with three runs in the top of seventh inning. Wear started the inning off with a single. Rosecrants delivered a single to the gap in the right-center. On the hit, Alfred's centerfielder overthrew the cutoff player. Wear scored on the error and Rosecrants advanced to third base. Rosecrants crossed the plate on a single by freshman Kelley Rybicki (Springport).

After Rybicki stole second, she was thrown out at the plate on a single by Darling. Darling advanced to second on the throw to the plate, moved to third on a fielding error by the Saxon's shortstop and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cooper.

For the game, Darling, Jones and Wear had two hits a piece. Darling recorded a pair of singles, while Jones and Wear each had a double and single. In the circle, senior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East) started and pitched five and one-third innings. She allowed four hits and three runs (one earned). Freshman Karlie McManaman (Williamston) earned the win in relief. She tossed one and two-thirds innings and did not allow a hit.

The Comets continue play at the Gene Cusic Classic tomorrow against Hiram (Ohio) College at 5 p.m, and Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology at 7 p.m.