Softball team splits doubleheader with Hope in MIAA-opener

The Olivet College softball team split a doubleheader with Hope College today in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener at the Cutler Athletic Complex. The Comets shutout the Flying Dutch, 3-0, in the first game, and Hope returned the favor in the nightcap, shutting out the Comets, 1-0, in eight innings.

In the first game, Olivet scored three runs in the first inning. After an out at the plate, the Comets had runners on first and third base. Senior Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) hit a single into leftfield, scoring junior Jenny Robbins (Fenton). Senior Kacey Darling (Hartford) then ripped a double over the left fielder's head, scoring freshman Danielle Vespa (St. Clair Shores/Univ. Liggett) and moving Rosecrants to third. Freshman Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg-Augusta) followed with a single to centerfield to score Rosecrants. There was no more scoring in the game, and neither team advanced any runners past second base.

For the game, Rosecrants was 2-for-3. Braner, Darling, Schug and senior Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union) each had a base hit. In the circle, sophomore Katie Harper (Vassar) pitched a complete game, three-hitter. She struck out three and walked zero batters.

The nightcap was a pitcher's duel between Olivet freshman Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central) and Hope's Michelle Mara. In the sixth inning, both teams had runners on second and third base with one out, but failed to bring a run home. In the eighth inning, Olivet also did not score when it had runners on second and third base with one out.

The Flying Dutch broke the scoreless drought in the bottom half of the eighth. With one out and runners on first and second base, Kelli Duimstra lifted a fly ball into deep centerfield for a double, which scored Erica Smith with the game-winning run.

Senior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) went 2-for-2 at the dish. Braner also had two hits. In the circle, Cook was the hard-luck loser. She gave up the one run on six hits.

Olivet returns to action Saturday when it plays a non-conference doubleheader at Concordia University. Game time is 1 p.m.