Softball team sweeps doubleheader at Kalamazoo, 4-2 and 9-1

The Olivet College softball team swept a doubleheader at Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Kalamazoo College today at the K-College Softball Field. The Comets (9-16, 4-5) won by scores of 4-2 and 9-1.

In the first game, Olivet took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when junior Kacey Darling (Hartford) lined the first pitch of the inning over the leftfield fence. The Hornets came back to tie the game with a solo home run in their half of the second inning.

The Comets took the lead for good with a three-run fifth inning. Junior Felicia Smith (Spring Lake) walked to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a double by freshman Courtney Praski (New Lothrop). Sophomore Christine Cameron (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) stepped to the plate and laced a single through the right-side of the infield, scoring both runners.

Later in the inning, junior Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa) singled, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a fly ball off the bat of junior Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western), which was dropped by the Kalamazoo rightfielder. The Hornets scored a run in the bottom of the half of the seventh but three strikeouts ended their chance for a comeback.

Offensively, Darling went 2-for-3 with a double and the home run. Five others each had a base hit. In the circle, freshman Katie Harper (Vassar) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits. She struck out a season-high 10 batters.

In the nightcap, Olivet struck first with two runs in the first inning. Braner walked and junior Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union) was hit by a pitch. Both came around to score on a double to the left-center gap by junior Beth DeLora (Muskegon/Oakridge). The Comets added two more runs in the second inning. Cameron and Braner scored on a throwing error by the Hornet shortstop.

A three-run third inning pushed the Comets lead to 7-0. Junior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) had a single and came around to score after sophomore Jenny Robbins (Fenton) singled and the Kalamazoo centerfield misplayed the ball. Robbins went to second base on the error and stole third base. Smith lifted a sacrifice fly to rightfield, scoring Robbins. Back-to-back doubles off the bats of Cameron and Braner resulted in the third run of the inning.

After Kalamazoo scored a run in the top half of the fourth inning, Olivet answered with a run in its half of the fourth. DeLora singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a flyout and scored on another wild pitch. The Comets forced the eight-run mercy rule ending with a run in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Junior Katie Fleshner (Grand Blanc/Haslett) had a pinch-hit double and scored on a pinch-hit single by freshman Ashley Laprise (Constantine).

For the game, Olivet finished with 12 hits. Braner, Cameron and DeLora each had a pair of hits. DeLora drove in two runs, while Braner and Cameron scored two runs apiece. In the circle, Vassar started and threw four innings, giving up one run on two hits. She had six strikeouts. In relief, DeLora pitched one hitless inning.

The Comets will host Albion College Friday for a MIAA doubleheader, starting at 3:30 p.m.