Softball team splits two games at Gene Cusic Classic

The Olivet College softball team split two games today at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. The Comets (10-2) rallied from four runs down to beat Thomas More (Ky.) College, 5-4 in eight innings, in the first game. In the second game, Olivet fell to Penn State Behrend (Pa.) University, 2-0.

Thomas More scored a run in the second inning and three more in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Freshman Alisha Ridsdale (Laingsburg) started the Olivet rally in the fifth. She hit a triple to leftfield and scored on a throwing error by the leftfielder.

The Comets added two unearned runs in the sixth inning. Freshman Christina Luna (Charlotte) and junior Katelan Schoen (Climax-Scotts) had RBI singles in the frame.

Olivet forced extra innings with a run in the top half of the seventh inning. Freshman Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) led off the frame with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Kortney Ewing (Nashville/Maple Valley). Rosecrants scored on a hit ball by Schoen, which was misplayed by the Thomas More shortstop.

Using the international tiebreaker in the eighth inning, Luna was placed on second base. She advanced to third base on another fielding error by the shortstop. Ridsdale brought in Luna on a sacrifice fly to left field. Thomas More failed to score its half of the eighth inning with the last out being recorded on a pop-up to third base.

For the game, Luna had two hits and four others had a hit apiece. In the circle, senior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) gained the victory. She pitched all eight innings, allowed 10 hits, walked one and struck out five.

Behrend scored its two runs in the fifth inning. Two batters walked and came around to score on a triple. That triple was the only base hit for the Lions. Olivet had five hits, including a triple by freshman Danielle Martin (Lansing/Catholic Central). In the circle, sophomore Kim Green (Portland) suffered the loss. She pitched five and one-third innings. In relief, freshman Corie Greene (Brown City) finished the game.

The Comets are idle until Wednesday, March 22, when they travel to play Grand Valley State University for a doubleheader, beginning at 3 p.m.