Softball team splits a pair of one-run games at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team split a pair of one-run games this afternoon at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. In the first game, the Comets beat Clark (Mass.) University, 6-5, and in the second game, they fell to Loras (Iowa) College, 10-9.

Against Clark, Olivet scored three runs in the second inning and added another run in the third. After Clark scored a run in the fourth inning, Olivet tallied two runs in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead. Freshman Christine Cameron (Elkhart, Ind.) scored what proved to be the game-winning run. She came around to score from second base when sophomore Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) got into a rundown between first and second base. Clark pushed across four runs and left the bases loaded in the bottom half of the seventh.

For the game, sophomores Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa/Marshall) and Christina Luna (Charlotte) each had two hits. Luna also drove in two runs. In the circle, sophomore Corie Greene (Brown City) was credited with the win as she pitched the first six innings and re-entered the game in the seventh inning to get the final two outs. Greene allowed six hits and one run, while striking out six.

After Loras took a 2-0 lead, the Comets scored four runs in the third and fourth innings to take an 8-2 lead. In the fifth inning, the Duhawks sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs to gain a 9-8 lead. Olivet tied the game at 9-9 with an unearned run in the sixth. A bases loaded walk allowed the winning run to score for Loras.

At the plate, sophomores Kacey Darling (Hartford) and Alisha Ridsdale (Laingsburg) each had three hits and three RBI. Darling's hits were a single and two doubles. Ridsdale's hits were a two-run home run and a pair of singles. Braner and Rosecrants finished with two singles a piece. Braner scored a team-high three runs. In the circle, freshman Karlie McManaman (Williamston) was tagged with the loss in relief of senior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East).

The Comets return to the field Wednesday against Emmanuel (Mass.) College at 1 p.m. and Alfred (N.Y.) University at 3 p.m.