Softball team splits doubleheader with Calvin

The Olivet College softball team split a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader with Calvin College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. In the first game, Olivet (7-16, 2-5 MIAA) scored a run in bottom half of the seventh inning to win, 1-0. In the second game, Calvin (8-19, 2-8 MIAA) scored two runs in the fourth inning and hung on for a 3-1 win.

The first game was a pitcher's duel for the first six innings between Olivet freshman Katie Harper (Vassar) and Calvin's Kristin Folkerts. In the top half of the seventh, the Knights had runners on first and third with no outs, but failed to produce a clutch hit. After an out was recorded in the bottom half of the seventh, junior Cassie Bowerman (Quincy) ripped a double to the left-center gap. Freshman Courtney Praski (New Lothrop) entered the game as a pinch hitter and delivered a bloop hit into rightfield, scoring Bowerman from second base with the game-winning run.

For the game, Olivet had six hits, including a single and double for Bowerman. Four other Comets each had one hit. In the circle, freshman Katie Harper (Vassar) pitched seven strong innings, allowing five hits and striking out five batters. The only three walks she issued were in the first inning.

In the nightcap, Praski and Bowerman helped Olivet score a run in the top half of the second inning. Praski hit a triple over the centerfielder's head. The next batter, Bowerman brought her home with a single. Calvin answered with an unearned run in its half of the second. In the fourth frame, the Knights took the lead for good, pushing across two runs, including an unearned one.

At the plate, Olivet was limited to five hits. Junior Kacey Darling (Hartford) had a pair of singles. In the circle, junior Beth DeLora (Muskegon/Oakridge) started and went four and one-third innings. She gave up three runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out two. Harper threw three one and two-thirds innings of hitless relief.

The Comets will be right back in action tomorrow when they travel to play Kalamazoo College. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is slated for 3:30 p.m.