Softball team posts two shutout victories at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team posted two shutout victories today at the Gene Cusic Classic. In the first game, the Comets (6-0) beat New Jersey City University, 9-0, in six innings, and in the second game, they defeated Worcester Polytechnic (Mass.) Institute, 8-0, in five innings.

Against NJCU, Olivet struck for three runs in the first inning. Junior Jenny Robbins (Fenton) reached base on a fielding error by the Gothic Knights' third baseman. She stole second and scored on a single by senior Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa). Braner went to second on an infield single by freshman Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg Augusta). After a double steal, Braner scored on a sacrifice fly by senior Kacey Darling (Hartford). Schug crossed the plate on a single by senior Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western).

The Comets added four more runs in the second frame. Freshman Danielle Vespa (St. Claire Shores/Univ. Liggett) walked and senior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) had an infield single, Braner hit a three-run home run over the fence in left-centerfield. Schug was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a double to the left-center gap by Rosecrants.

Olivet gave the game an early ending with a two-run sixth inning. After back-to-back singles by Robbins and Braner, and stolen bases for each, Darling executed a perfect suicide squeeze to score Robbins. Braner came around to score on a single by senior Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union).

The Comet offensive attack was led by Braner, who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI. Bowerman, Rosecrants and Wear each had two hits. In the circle, sophomore Katie Harper (Vassar) needed just 70 pitches to improve to 3-0 on the young season. She gave up four hits, while striking out five and not walking a batter.

Against WPI, Olivet took advantage of a shaky defense to score five runs in the first inning. Schug had a two-run double. Wear, senior Felicia Smith (Spring Lake) and Vespa each drove in a run. Back-to-back doubles for Robbins and Braner in the second inning resulted in another run. The Comets added another run in the fourth. Braner singled, stole second base and came around the score when the Engineer catcher threw the ball into the outfield. Wear ended the game with an inside-the-park home run down the left field line.

The Comets finished the game with seven hits. Braner and Wear had two hits apiece. Freshman Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central) threw 59 pitches in five innings of work to earn her third victory of the season. She allowed five hits and struck out three.

Olivet will take a day off tomorrow and be back in action for two games on Wednesday. The Comets will play Bowdoin (Maine) College at 11 a.m., and College of Wooster (Ohio) at 1 p.m.

NOTES: In its first six games, Olivet has scored 61 runs, and allowed three runs (two earned). Defensively, the Comets have committed only two errors. As a team, they have .399 batting average. Braner leads the team with a.688 average, 14 runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI.