Softball team splits two games at Gene Cusic Classic

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Olivet College softball team opened its season by splitting two games today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Behind a complete game, four-hitter by senior Rachel Cook (Traverse City/Central), the Comets rallied to beat Mitchell (Conn.) College, 3-2. In the second game, Olivet fell to Hamilton (N.Y.) College, 14-6.

In game one, Mitchell scored one run in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. The Comets tied the game at 2-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the third inning. Junior Allison Iuelle (Kelloggsville) made her first plate appearance in an Olivet uniform one to remember, as she led off the inning with a solo home run. Junior Ali Lund (Owosso) followed with a double and later scored on a ground ball off the bat of sophomore Lauren Lenard (Dimondale/Lansing Catholic).

The Comets scored the winning run in the sixth inning. Senior Brooke Coshow (Niles/Brandywine) singled to start the inning, went to third when a bunt by senior Christine Daub (Hudson) was misplayed by the Mitchell first baseman. Junior Ciara Santos (Lansing/Everett) then hit a double to deep center field to score Coshow. Mitchell had the tying run on second base, but Cook got out of the jam to preserve the win.

For the game, Olivet had nine hits, with all except one starter collecting at least one hit. Junior Marlene Packer (Grand Rapids/Creston) went 2-for-3 in her debut in a Comet uniform. Cook scattered four hits in seven innings of work to earn the win.

Hamilton scored a run in the first inning. Olivet grabbed the lead back with two runs in its half of the first inning. With runners on second and third, Santos lined a single to right field to score the runs. The Continentals tied the game with a run in the second inning. The Comets regained the lead 3-2 with a run in the bottom half of the second when junior Lindsey Maas (Pinckney) scored on a throwing error off a batted by Coshow.

Hamilton took a 7-3 lead with three runs in the third and one run in the fourth. Olivet made it a one-run game with a three-run fourth inning. Packer led off the inning with a single and moved to third base on Coshow's double. Daub then hit a double in the left-centerfield gap to score Coshow and Packer. On the throw home, Daub advanced to third base. Santos then hit a double to score Daub. The Continentals put the game out of reach in the seventh inning when they pushed across six runs.

For the game, the Comets recorded 11 hits, led by Santos' 3-for-4 performance. She also drove in two runs. Coshow had two hits, scored two runs and collected two RBI. Iuelle also had two hits. In the circle, freshman Jessica Duell (Ionia) was charged with the loss. She threw the first two and one-third innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits. Freshman Nicole McCoy (Detroit/Mumford) finished the game and gave up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits.

Olivet will play Richard Stockton (N.J.) College and St. Lawrence (N.Y.) University tomorrow at the Cape Coral Sports Complex. Game times are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.