Softball team walks its way to doubleheader sweep at Kalamazoo, 23-4 and 13-4

The Olivet College softball team established two single-game school records in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader sweep of Kalamazoo College, 23-4 and 13-4, this afternoon at the Kalamazoo Softball Field.

In the first game, Olivet scored four runs in the second inning without getting a base hit. A suicide squeeze bunt by sophomore Nicole Wernette (Remus/Chippewa Hills) plated the first run, while three consecutive bases-loaded walks plated the other three runs. The Comets added to their lead with three runs in the third. The first two runs scored on a two-run double by junior Christine Daub (Hudson) and the third was on another bases-loaded walk.

After the first out was recorded in the fourth inning, 15 straight Comets reached base and 12 runs crossed the plate. Junior Morgan Iloncaie (Port Huron/Imlay City) capped the inning with a grand slam home run over the fence in leftfield. Olivet closed its scoring with four runs in the fifth on two-run doubles by freshmen Megan Jarvis (Marshall) and Rachel Scribner (Millington). The Hornets scored four times in the fifth, but the game still ended early because of the mercy rule.

For the game, Olivet collected 11 hits and drew a single-game school record 21 walks. Iloncaie reached base safely in her six plate appearances, as she walked four times, was hit by a pitch and hit the home run. She scored a single-game school record five runs. Daub went 2-for-3 with two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI.

Scribner, junior Kate Boss (Charlotte/Maple Valley) and freshman Breanna Bunker (Charlotte) each recorded two hits and two runs scored. Bunker also drove in two runs. Freshman Megan Wernowsky (Bellevue) had four RBI.

In the circle, junior Katie Harper (Vassar) earned the win to improve her record to 6-4. She allowed four hits and struck out six. Freshman Breanne Harmon (Quincy) gave up the four runs in the fifth inning on five hits, while striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Comets scored twice in the first inning on sophomore Kelsey Greene's (Burr Oak) RBI-double and Wernowsky's RBI-single. Kalamazoo took a 4-2 lead with four runs in the top half of the third. Olivet then erupted for 11 runs in the bottom half of the third. In addition to four bases-loaded walks, sophomore Cortney Wernette (Remus/Chippewa Valley) had a two-run single, Greene laced a two-run double and freshman Meghan Case (Vassar) hit a two-run double over the centerfielder's head.

Offensively, Olivet posted just eight hits but drew 11 more walks. Greene was 2-for-2 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. Case had a double, single and two runs scored, while Wernowsky had a pair of singles. In the circle, Greene was the winning pitcher, as she allowed the four runs on five hits, while striking out six. Sophomore Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central) tossed a scoreless inning of relief.

The Comets will play a non-conference doubleheader tomorrow at Rochester College. The games are being played at Oakland University and will start at 1 p.m.