Saint Mary's freshman pitcher Kristin Amram wanted to even the score with conference rival Manchester after the Spartans topped the Belles 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader to open Saint Mary's home schedule.
Amram got revenge Wednesday afternoon. The freshman struck out a school-record 13 to lead Saint Mary's in a five-inning, 9-1 victory as the Belles (10-4) split their home openers.
"We used that [first game] as inspiration to do better," Amram said. "It challenged us."
Amram struck out the Spartans first three batters and never looked back. Saint Mary's immediately got on the board in the bottom of the first when freshman outfielder Calli Davison and Ashley Fusaro delivered one- and two-run base knocks, respectively.
Amram appreciated the offensive support.
"We used each others' strengths," said Amram. "We played off of each other."
Manchester third baseman Jenn Allen offered an RBI single in the third, but that was all Amram would surrender.
Saint Mary's senior captain Bridget Grall opened the floodgates in the bottom of the fifth with a double.
"It was just one hit after the next," Grall said.
Fusaro delivered an RBI single, third baseman Laura Heline and designated hitter McKenna Corrigan each knocked in two runs and Amram finished off the scoring - and the game - with a two-out, one-run single.
Amram faced 19 batters, giving up three hits and walking one. It was her fifth win of the season.
The game was called after her single in the fifth because of the mercy rule.
In the first game, the Belles and Spartans were scoreless until the top of the fourth when Spartans catcher Holy McEathron blasted a solo homerun.
The Belles answered in the bottom of the fifth as freshman catcher Martha Smid scored on an error by Allen.
The Spartans regained the lead in the top of the sixth when Lisa Heaton singled, driving in Melissa Bower for the decisive 2-1 lead.
