Alma College continued the 2009 Softball season on Thursday, when they hit the road to take on MIAA foe Olivet College, coming away with an 11-5 victory in the first game of a doubleheader. The win improved the Scots to 7-2 in league play and 17-9 overall, while the Comets dropped to 1-6 in the MIAA and 15-8 on the 2009 season.

After two scoreless innings, Alma broke the ice with a run in the top of the third, when Sr. C Trista Geier (Livonia, MI/Walled Lake Western) singled to lead off the frame and Fr. Colleen Wren pinch-ran for Geier. Fr. 1B Emily Ross (Buchanan, MI/Buchanan) then reached on a bunt single to put runners at first and second. So. CF Kelly Koenigsknecht (Fowler, MI/Fowler) then singled to score Wren and put the Scots ahead 1-0.

Olivet responded with a run of their own off of Alma So. P Tara Leddy (Saginaw, MI/Swan Valley) to tie the game at 1-1. The game remained deadlocked until both teams found their offensive groove, beginning with the Comets in the bottom of the fifth inning. They scored three runs, and the inning was highlighted by a two-run homerun by Sr. 3B Anna Braner, giving Olivet a lead by a score of 4-1.

The Scots responded with a crooked number of their own, as they tallied eight runs in the top of the sixth. Alma scored the eight runs on seven hits and were helped by two Olivet errors. Alma sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame and received contributions by several players, including Fales, who had two hits and two runs batted in.

In addition, Jr. SS Houston Verbeck (Burton, MI/Flint Kearsley), Fr. Becca DeWyse (Bay City, MI/Bay City All Saints), Jr. LF Kelsey Rightenburg (2) (Lexington, MI/Croswell-Lexington) and Jr. RF Sarah Johnson (2) (Portland, MI/Portland) each had runs batted in for the Scots during the break-out inning.

After holding the Comets to no runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alma added two insurance runs in the top of the final frame to extend the lead to 11-5. After pinch-hitter Fr. DH Camille Ditmar (Highland, MI/Milford) led off with a walk, Geier sacrifice bunted her to second base. Jr. 1B Cassie Schwab (Midland, MI/Midland) singled down the left field line for an RBI.

Koenigsknecht reached on an error that advanced Schwab to third with one out. Alma scored their final run when Rightenburg flied out to left field, scoring Scwab on a sacrifice.

Fales, Johnson and Ross each had two hits for the Scots, while Rightenburg had three RBI's and Johnson added two runs batted in as well. Koenigsknecht notched her league-leading 23rd stolen base, while Leddy improved her pitching record to 10-2 on the season for Alma.