Softball team loses two games to Trine, 7-4 and 8-5

The Olivet College softball team lost both games of a doubleheader to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) leader Trine (Ind.) University today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Thunder won by scores of 7-4 and 8-5.

In the first game, the Thunder took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top half of the first inning. The Comets answered with a run in their half of the first. Trine added a run in the third, and five more runs in the fourth to take a 7-1 lead. Olivet got two runs back in the fifth inning. The Comets added another run in the seventh, but they could not get any closer.

Offensively, senior Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa/Marshall) was 3-for-4 with two doubles and one home run. She also scored three times. Senior Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union) had two hits, including a two-run triple. Senior Kacey Darling (Hartford) also finished with two hits. Sophomore Katie Harper (Vassar) went 2-for-2 at the plate, and pitched seven innings. She gave up seven runs (four earned) on 13 hits, while striking out four.

In the second game, Olivet pushed four runs across the plate in the top half of the first inning. Senior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) led off the game with a single and moved to second on Braner's single. Wear doubled to the right-center alley, scoring Bowerman and advancing Braner to third. Senior Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) cleared the bases with a three-run home run over the fence in straightaway centerfield.

The Thunder tied the game at 4-4 with four runs in the third. Trine took the lead for good when it scored four unearned runs in the fourth inning. Olivet scored one run and brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh. A pop-out ended the Comets' threat.

Wear went 3-for-4 at the plate. Bowerman had two hits. Extra base hits were Wear's double and a double by freshman Danielle Vespa (St. Clair Shores/Univ. Liggett). Five different players scored a run. In the circle, freshman Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central) threw six innings and surrendered eight runs (four earned) on 18 hits. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Olivet is scheduled to return to the field tomorrow for a home non-conference doubleheader against Finlandia University. First pitch is 1 p.m. The Comets will celebrate "Strikeout Cancer" Day. Both teams will be wearing pink shirts, and fans are also encouraged to wear pink.

NOTE: With her two doubles in the first game, Braner broke Olivet's career record. She now has 28, and the old record was 26 by Beth Shunkwiler (2004-05). Wear became Olivet's career triples leader in the first game. She now has eight, and the old record was seven by three different players. Wear is also closing on the all-time record for hits.