Softball team splits doubleheader with MIAA-rival Albion

The Olivet College softball team split a doubleheader with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College this afternoon in Olivet. After being shutout 2-0 in the first game, the Comets bounced back to win the second game, 8-3.

In the first game, Albion (13-14, 4-10 MIAA) scored the first run in the second inning after Jessica Stange and Sarah Anthony hit back-to-back doubles. The Britons scored their second run in the sixth inning. Stange singled and Amanda Wasczenski replaced her as a pinch runner. After a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second, Katie Dotter doubled to bring home Wasczenski.

Olivet (10-17, 5-6 MIAA) was limited to four hits. The only extra base hit was a triple by junior Beth DeLora (Muskegon/Oakridge). In the circle, freshman Katie Harper (Vassar) was charged with the loss. She pitched seven innings, allowed two runs on six hits, walked two and struck out eight.

In the second game, the Comets jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a three-run first inning. Sophomore Jenny Robbins (Fenton) led off the game with an infield single. On the first pitch to junior Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa), she stole second base. Braner then sent the second pitch over the fence in left-centerfield for a two-run home run. Later in the inning, DeLora walked. A single by junior Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union) advanced her to second base. Freshman Courtney Praski (New Lothrop) then ripped a double in the right-centerfield gap, scoring DeLora with the third run of the inning.

Olivet added two more runs in the second inning. Junior Felicia Smith (Spring Lake) doubled down the right field line. After an out was recorded, Braner hit a double to left-center to score Smith. A wild pitch moved Braner to third base. Junior Kacey Darling (Hartford) walked to put runners on the corners. The Comets then executed a perfect double steal, as Braner scored from third.

Olivet scored another run in the third and fourth innings. In the third, Wear reached base on a fielding error by the Albion shortstop. She went to second base on a passed ball and scored on a double by Praski. Braner led off the fourth with a double down the left field line, moved to third on a wild pitch and came around to score on a single by DeLora.

After the Britons scored their run in the sixth, the Comets answered with a run in the top half of the seventh. Wear tripled to lead off the frame and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Praski. Albion scored two runs and left the bases loaded in its half of the seventh.

Offensively, Olivet was led by Braner, who had three hits (home run and two doubles), scored three runs and drove in three runs. Praski finished with two doubles and three RBI. Wear collected two hits and scored twice. In the circle, Harper picked-up the win. She went the first six and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits. DeLora got the final out to earn the save.

The Comets return to the field tomorrow for a MIAA doubleheader at Tri-State (Ind.) University. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is 1 p.m.