Softball team splits doubleheader at Tri-State (Ind.)

The Olivet College softball team split a doubleheader at non-league foe Tri-State (Ind.) University this afternoon. The Lady Comets won the first game, 5-3, and lost the second game, 3-2, in 12 innings. With the split, Olivet has won 10 of its last 12 games.

In the first game, the Comets (16-12) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Junior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs High School) drove in the first run on a double. The other runs scored on Tri-State errors. After the Thunder scored a run in the fourth inning, the Comets matched them with a run in the top of the fifth. Tri-State tallied single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

At the plate, every Olivet starter except for one had at least one base hit. Junior Jill Shufelt (Millington High School) collected two hits, and junior Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg Augusta High School) scored two runs. In the circle, sophomore Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City High School) pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits and one earned run while striking out seven.

In the nightcap, Tri-State took a 2-1 lead after three innings. The Comets forced extra innings in the top of the seventh when junior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha High School) singled home senior Taneisha Pointer (Lansing Everett High School). Tri-State scored the winning run with a one out double in the 12th inning.

Newland went the distance, 11 and one-third innings, in the pitching circle. She allowed five hits and three earned runs while striking out nine. Olivet was held to five hits, including two by Newland.

The Comets will next play a non-league doubleheader at home against Rochester College on Monday, April 19 at 3:30 p.m.