Softball team wins two thrilling eight inning games at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team won two thrilling eight inning victories today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. In the first game, freshman Kelley Rybicki (Springport) hit a game-ending three-run home run to lift the Comets to a 6-4 win against Hiram (Ohio) College. In the nightcap, sophomore Heather Jones (Trenton) had a single to score the winning run as Olivet edged Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology, 4-3.

Against Hiram, Olivet led 3-1 after scoring two runs in the second inning and one more in the fifth. The Terriers forced extra innings when they plated two runs in the seventh inning. Hiram took a 4-3 lead with a run in the top half of the eighth inning. Rybicki hit her home run with two outs in the bottom half of the eighth.

For the game, senior Shannon Hall (Taylor/Truman) had three hits, including a triple. Rybicki scored two runs. In the circle, sophomore Corie Greene (Brown City) earned the complete game victory. She allowed seven hits and four unearned runs, while striking out five.

RIT jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The Comets tied the game at 2-2 with one run in the fifth and another run in the sixth. Each team scored a run in the seventh. In the eighth, the Tigers failed to push a run across the plate. With two outs in the eighth, Jones delivered her game-winning hit.

At the plate, Jones had two hits and also drove in two runs. Hall and sophomore Christina Luna (Charlotte) each had a single. In the circle, freshman Karlie McManaman (Williamston) started and pitched five innings. Senior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East) tossed a scoreless inning of relief. Freshman Haley Van Epps (Grand Ledge) pitched the final two innings to win her first collegiate game.

Olivet is back in action tomorrow when it plays Loras (Iowa) College at 1 p.m., and Clark (Mass.) University at 3 p.m.