Softball team swept by Hope College, 8-0 and 6-1

The softball team was swept by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Hope College, 8-0 and 6-1, this afternoon in Olivet.

The first game of the twinbill featured the reining MIAA Co-Pitchers of the Week in Hope's Kelsey Guisbert and Olivet junior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) facing each other. After three innings, it was a pitcher's duel with both pitchers facing the minimum number of batters. The Flying Dutch (12-6, 2-2 MIAA) then sent 12 batters to the plate and scored eight runs in the top half of the fourth inning. Olivet was not able to push any runs across the plate and the game ended after five innings because of the eight-run mercy run.

At the plate, the Lady Comets' (11-7, 2-2 MIAA) were held to three hits – two singles by senior Jill Shufelt (Millington) and a double by sophomore Heather Hinesman (Hudson). Anderson allowed seven hits and two earned runs.

Olivet's run in the nightcap came in the fourth inning. Senior Jenn Newland (Tekonsha) led off the inning with a bunt single. She moved to second on a Shufelt groundout and to third on a wild pitch. A fielding error by the Hope shortstop scored Newland. The Dutch answered the Comet run with two runs in its half of the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead.

The Comets had just two hits, singles by Newland and Shufelt. In the circle, freshman Kim Green (Portland) pitched seven innings, giving up 13 hits and six earned runs.

Olivet will host NCAA Division II foe Grand Valley State University Thursday afternoon with the first pitch of the doubleheader set for 3:30 p.m.