Softball team opens MIAA play with two losses to Alma, 4-0 and 6-2

The Olivet College softball team was swept by Alma College today in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opener at Scots Park in Alma. The Comets (12-6, 0-2 MIAA) were shutout in the first game, 4-0, and lost the nightcap, 6-2.

In game one, Alma (14-4, 4-0 MIAA) tallied two runs in the first and fifth innings. Olivet was held to two singles, one each by freshmen Danielle Martin (Lansing/Catholic Central) and Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland). In the circle, senior Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City) pitched the entire game, allowing four hits.

In the second game, the Comets jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the first inning. With one out, freshman Katie Walker (Lansing/Everett) walked and scored on a double by Martin. Alma used a five-run fifth inning to take a 5-1 lead.

Olivet got one run back in its half of the fifth. Freshman Christina Luna (Charlotte) led off the frame with a single up the middle. Junior Danielle Kapral (Lapeer/East) replaced her on the bases. Back-to-back walks by freshmen Kortney Ewing (Nashville/Maple Valley) and Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western) loaded the bases with nobody out.

Following a strikeout, freshman Alisha Ridsdale (Laingsburg) plated Kapral on a lineout to centerfield. After Martin walked to reload the bases, a strikeout ended the Comets' threat. Alma closed the scoring with a run in the seventh inning.

At the plate, Martin and freshman Danielle Jones (Trenton) had two hits a piece. Each had a double and single. In the circle, sophomore Kim Green (Portland) was charged with the loss. She yielded seven hits in seven innings.

The Comets will host Manchester College tomorrow for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.