Softball team stretches win streak to 10 with two wins at Gene Cusic Classic

Behind complete game pitching performances from sophomore Katie Harper (Vassar) and freshman Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central), the Olivet College softball team stretched its winning streak to 10 games with two wins today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. In their first game, the Comets beat Carroll (Wisc.) University, and in the second game, they defeated Eastern Nazarene (Mass.) College.

Olivet jumped on Carroll early with two runs in the top half of the first inning. Junior Jenny Robbins (Fenton) led off the game with a double, and senior Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa/Marshall) hit a double to score Robbins. A single by freshman Danielle Vespa (St. Clair Shores/Univ. of Liggett) moved Braner to third, and a single by senior Kacey Darling (Hartford) brought home Braner.

The Comets added another run in the second inning. Senior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) walked, stole second and scored on Vespa's double. The Pioneers tallied their run in the third frame. The duo of Robbins and Braner helped give Olivet a 4-1 lead. After two outs were recorded, Robbins tripled to deep centerfield and scored on a double by Braner. Olivet closed the scoring in the fifth inning when senior Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) walked and came around to score on a double to the left-center gap by senior Felicia Smith (Spring Lake).

For the game, Braner, Robbins, Rosecrants and Vespa each had two base hits. Braner also had two RBI, while Robbins scored twice. In the circle, Harper allowed the run on six hits. She struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Olivet scored three runs against Eastern Nazarene in the first and third innings. In the first, Braner walked, stole second and scored on a single by Vespa, who went to second on the throw home. Darling's single moved Vespa to third base. A wild pitch scored Vespa and advanced Darling to second. A single by freshman Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg Augusta) scored Vespa.

A two-run home run by Vespa and a solo home run by Rosecrants accounted for the Comets' third inning runs. Eastern Nazarene scored its only run in the sixth inning.

For the game, Vespa was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBI. Braner scored twice. Cook allowed the one run on four hits, while striking out three.

NOTE: With her three runs scored today, Braner broke Olivet's career record. She has scored 75 runs to break the old record of 74 set by Jill Shufelt (2002-05).