SOFTBALL: Olivet sweeps Saint Mary's, capitalizes on errors
By MOLLY McVOY
Senior Staff Writer
Olivet College took advantage of scoring opportunities and Saint Mary's errors to win both games of Wednesday's double-header, 5-2 and 7-5.
"We played really well in both games, but Olivet got some lucky hits to win the games," said senior co-captain Anne Senger.
Senger pitched the first game, giving up five earned runs in seven innings of work. One error in the seventh inning and an overthrow to homeplate allowed Olivet to tie the game caused the two unearned runs.
"We did make a couple of errors that were inopportune and cost us a couple of runs," Belles' head coach John Kovach said.
The Belles took an early lead in the first game with a second-inning RBI double by freshman outfielder Erin Sullivan.
Olivet returned the favor in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs. An error allowed the lead-off batter to reach first and two doubles and a sacrifice fly drove in the three runs.
The Belles offense opened up in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to take a 4-3 lead. Junior third baseman Melissa Hayes had a lead-off single to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt and an infield hit by freshman Marnie Walsh and junior Kristin Martin moved Hayes into scoring position.
Freshman Kristina Tebbe drove her in with an RBI single and was followed by a two-run double by sophomore Susan Kutz.
The score stayed at 4-3 until the top of the seventh inning when Olivet's offense struck again. The Comets scored four runs in the top half of the inning to take the lead.
"The first game gave you a feeling that you should always have a few more runs," Kovach said. "Everything materialized with two outs in the last inning. Its almost like you couldn't stop it."
The Comets took the lead on a three-run home run by sophomore outfielder Corrie Champine. The runners were on base, in part because of the throwing error by the Belles earlier in the inning.
The Belles pulled within two runs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double by Martin but could not tie up the game.
"These kind of losses are tough losses to take," Kovach said.
The second game proved to be a defensive dual between Saint Mary's and Olivet. Freshman Libby Wilhelmy pitched for the Belles, going seven innings and giving up four earned runs.
Once again, the Belles took the early lead, scoring one run in the top of the third inning. Sullivan scored on a passed ball by sophomore pitcher Erica Fahey. Saint Mary's added another run in the top of the next inning on a sacrifice fly by senior Cindy Traub.
Olivet did not score a run until the sixth inning thanks to tough defense by the Belles. Sullivan, at center field, and shortstop Marnie Walsh had a good deal to do with the defense's success.
"[Marni] really has come along well this season," Kovach said. "Shortstop is really a key spot."
Olivet did pick up a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI double. As in the first game, Olivet did not win the game, however, until its last at bats.
Wilhelmy and the Belles had recorded two outs on a heads-up double play before Olivet scored the winning runs. With two outs, Olivet recorded a single and an RBI double to tie the game. Senior Jackie Knight then hit a two-run homerun for the Comets to win the game 4-2.
Saint Mary's faces Calvin today at home at 3 p.m. They must win both games of the doubleheader if they hope to move into the top four teams in the MIAA and make the playoffs.
Kovach expects the team to shake off today's losses and win against Calvin.
"We have to come out and play our best," he said. "Yesterday was yesterday and today is today. Today will make the difference in the league."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, April 19, 2001
