Softball team drops two games in Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Olivet College softball team suffered losses in two games this morning at the Gene Cusic Classic and inside the Cape Coral Sports Complex in Cape Coral, Fla. The Comets fell to Amherst (Mass.) College, 7-2, in their first game and then lost 1-0 to St. Olaf (Minn.) College in their second game.

The difference in the first game was the top half of the second inning when Amherst scored six runs, including four unearned runs. Olivet did not need a hit to score a run in the bottom half of the second, as junior Alison Iuelle (Kentwood/Kelloggsville) walked, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, moved up to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by sophomore Terri Hurosky (Nashville/Maple Valley).

The Lord Jeffs answered with a solo home run to lead off the third. The Comets scored their second run in the sixth inning when Hurosky scored on a RBI-single by sophomore Alyssa Nielsen (Greenville).

Olivet was limited to three hits, with Nielsen going 2-for-3. Iuelle had the other hit. Senior Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central) was charged with the loss, as she gave up seven runs (three earned) on 14 hits.

For the second time in three games play, the Comets faced a pitcher's duel in a game. Olivet freshman Jessica Duell (Ionia) allowed a run in the top half of the second inning. The Comets had runners on the corners with one out in the bottom half of the second and loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth, but were unable to push across the tying run.

Offensively, Olivet had four hits, with Iuelle, senior Christine Daub (Hudson), junior Ciara Santos (Lansing/Everett) and sophomore Sarah Mecham (Eaton Rapids) each recording one. Duell was the hard luck loser. She allowed the only run on two hits, and retired the last 13 batters she faced.

The Comets look for wins tomorrow when they play Smith (Mass.) College and Mass.-Dartmouth at 9 and 11 a.m., respectively. The games will be played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla.