Softball team swept by Hillsdale, 3-2 and 5-0

The softball team was swept by NCAA Division II foe Hillsdale College this afternoon at Williams Field in Hillsdale. The Lady Comets (8-4) lost the first game, 3-2, in 10 innings and fell 5-0 in the second game.

In the first game, Olivet tallied its two runs in the fourth inning. Senior Lindsey Daniels (Galesburg-Augusta) led off the inning with a single. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes). Sophomore Heather Hinesman (Hudson) ripped a double to score Daniels. Junior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) plated Hinesman with a single.

The Chargers sent the game to extra innings with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Olivet had base runners in each of the extra frames but could not push across the go-ahead run. Hillsdale scored the game-winning run with two outs in the 10th inning.

At the plate, the Comets had 13 base hits with Daniels and Hinesman collecting three apiece. Daniels' three hits were singles while Hinesman's three hits were doubles. Senior Jill Shufelt (Millington) slapped two hits. In the circle, Anderson suffered the loss.

Olivet had its best chance to score runs in the first inning of the second game. Hillsdale scored two runs in the third and fifth innings and one in the sixth inning. Senior Beth Shunkwiler (Berrien Center/Berrien Springs) reached base on two singles. Anderson, sophomore Shannon Hall (Taylor Truman) and senior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha) each had a base hit. Freshman Kim Green (Portland) pitched six innings, allowing eight base hits and five runs (two earned).

The Comets will next play Friday, April 1, when they play at Albion College. It is the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)-opener for both teams and the doubleheader is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at Dempsey Field.