Softball team splits two games at final day of Sun West Tournament

The Olivet College softball team split two games today at the final day of the 2004 Sun West Tournament hosted by Chapman University in Orange, California. In their first game, the Lady Comets defeated Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, 7-2. In the second game, they dropped a 3-1 decision against Menlo (Calif.) College. Olivet ends its spring break trip with a 4-4 record.

In the first game, Elizabethtown tallied an unearned run in the first inning. The Comets tied the game with a run in the second inning, and erupted for four runs in the third. The final two Olivet runs crossed the plate in the fourth.

Leading the way for the Comets were junior designated player Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg Augusta High School), senior catcher Theresa Flowers (Waterford Kettering High School), senior second baseman Kari Munson (Lansing Eastern High School) and junior shortstop Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs High School) with two hits apiece. In addition, senior Jenna Little (Ortonville Brandon High School) hit a two-run home run. Flowers also drove in a pair of runs.

Sophomore Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City High School) earned the victory after pitching six solid innings and scattering four base hits. She allowed two unearned runs and struck out six batters. In relief, sophomore Stephanie Green (Leroy/Pine River High School) pitched one scoreless inning.

Against Menlo, Little was three-for-three with a double. Senior right fielder Taneisha Pointer (Lansing Everett High School) drove in the lone Olivet run in the seventh inning on a single down the right field line. Junior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha High School) suffered the loss and pitched a complete game, seven-hitter. She gave up three runs, one earned, and struck out six batters.

The Comets will open their northern schedule on Thursday, March 18, when they travel to play Hillsdale College. The doubleheader will start at 3 p.m.