Softball team wins two games at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team won two games today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. In their first game, the Comets defeated Emmanuel (Mass.) College, 11-1. The game was ended after six innings because of the eight-run mercy run. In the second game, junior Amy Cooper (Bath) ripped a RBI single to score sophomore Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa/Marshall) for the only run as Olivet beat Alfred (N.Y.) University, 1-0.

The Comets (6-2) jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Emmanuel when Cooper hit a home run in the first inning. In the third inning, Olivet took advantage of two errors to score three runs. The Saints scored their run in bottom half of the third. The Comets added three more runs in the fifth on a three-run home run by sophomore Kacey Darling (Hartford). Olivet closed the game with a four-run sixth inning.

At the plate, the Comets had a season-high 14 base hits and every starter had at least one hit. Braner, Cooper, senior Shannon Hall (Taylor/Truman) and sophomores Christina Luna (Charlotte) and Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union) each had two hits. Cooper scored three runs, while Braner and Wear scored two runs a piece. In the circle, senior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East) earned the win, pitching a complete game three-hitter. She struck out six batters.

Against Alfred, there was no score through five innings. Braner led off the bottom half of the sixth frame with an infield single. Darling executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing Braner to second base. Cooper lined the first pitch she saw up the middle to bring home Braner. In the top half of the seventh inning, the Saxons went down in order.

For the game, Braner and Cooper collected two hits each. Hall and Luna also had a base hit. In the circle, sophomore Corie Greene (Brown City) improved to 3-1 on the season with a complete game victory. She gave up five hits, while walking one and striking out five.

Tomorrow at the Gene Cusic Classic, Olivet plays St. John Fisher (N.Y.) College at 1 p.m., followed by a game against Rockford (Ill.) College at 3 p.m.