Softball team splits pair of one-run games at Hope

The Olivet College softball team split a pair of one-games against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Hope College today at Wolters Stadium in Holland. After losing the first game 2-1, the Comets rallied to win the nightcap, 4-3 in eight innings. With the win in game two, Olivet beat Hope for the first time since March 31, 2004.

In game one, the Comets (11-20, 6-9 MIAA) scored their run in the top half of the first inning. Sophomore Jenny Robbins (Fenton) was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. After stealing second, she advanced to third on a single by junior Anna Braner (Belmond, Iowa/Marshall). Junior Kacey Darling (Hartford) brought home Robbins with a single.

The Flying Dutch (23-10, 9-5 MIAA) tied the game at 1-1 with a run in their half of the first. Hope scored the game-winning run in the fifth inning when Beth Yahraus drew a bases-loaded walk. Olivet did not go down quietly, as it had the tying and go-ahead runs on base in both the sixth and seventh innings.

The Comets finished with five hits, all singles by Braner, Darling, Robbins, junior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) and freshman Courtney Praski (New Lothrop). Robbins also stole two bases to raise her season total to 10. In the circle, freshman Katie Harper (Vassar) was the hard-luck loser, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits over six innings of work.

In the nightcap, Hope took a 2-0 lead with two runs in the second inning. Olivet got one run back in the fifth inning. Darling led off with a single. Junior Beth DeLora (Muskegon/Oakridge) reached base on a fielding error by the Hope third baseman to move Darling to third. A fielder's choice out at second advanced Darling to third. Praski then hit a RBI-single to score Darling.

The Flying Dutch answered with a run in the top half of the sixth. Olivet tied the game at 3-3 with a pair of runs in the sixth. With one out, Braner walked and went to second on a single by junior Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland Union). Darling then ripped a double in the right-centerfield gap to score Braner and Wear.

In the bottom half of the eighth inning, Braner walked, stole second base and advanced to third on Darling's groundout to third base. DeLora stepped to the plate and sent a 1-2 pitch to shallow rightfield, scoring Braner with the game-winning run.

For the game, Olivet had seven hits, including two for Darling. Also recording hits were Braner, DeLora, Praski, Wear and junior Felicia Smith (Spring Lake). Smith's hit was a double. In the circle, Harper won her 10th of the season. She gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits in eight innings.

The Comets will host Huntington (Ind.) University for a non-league doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m.