Softball team splits pitcher’s duels at Calvin

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Olivet College softball team split a pair of pitching duels in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader against Calvin College today at the Gainey Sports Complex in Grand Rapids. The Comets lost the first game 2-0, but bounced back to beat the Knights in the nightcap, 1-0.

The first game was a pitcher's duel between Calvin's Shelby Mast and Olivet senior Katie Harper (Vassar). The Knights scored the only two runs they would need in the third inning on a two-run double by Lina Avila. The Comets were held to one hit, a single by senior Jenny Robbins (Fenton) to leadoff the game. Harper was the tough luck loser, as she allowed the two runs (one earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts.

The nightcap was a duel between Mast and Olivet sophomore Breanne Harmon (Quincy). The Comets scored the only run in the game on a solo home run by junior Kelsey Greene (Burr Oak) to start the third inning. Harmon scattered three hits, struck out seven and walk one batter in pitching her first collegiate shutout. She also helped her cause out defensively, throwing out a runner at home on a suicide squeeze play in the sixth inning.

At the plate, the Comets had five hits. Junior Bridget Lathers (Grass Lake/Lumen Christi) was 2-for-2 with two stolen bases.

Olivet will host Trine (Ind.) University Saturday afternoon, starting at 1 p.m.