The Saint Mary’s softball team competed four games this past week, including doubleheader against Albion and Calvin. The Belles lost each game, bringing their recent losing streak to eight games. Saint Mary's fell to 8-18 on the season and 2-10 in the conference.
Albion
Game 1
Freshman infielder Talia Jorgensen had a single and was followed by sophomore transfer and infielder Laura Heim, who singled up the middle to put runners on first and second, but the Belles were unable to finish out as Albion stepped up to the plate. In the bottom of the inning, a combined three hits gave Albion its first run of the game. Heading into the top of the second inning, it was three up, three down for the Albion defense to hold the Belles. At the end of the inning, multiple hits to the outfield and a home run from Albion allowed the Britons to take a 7-0 lead.
Going into the third inning, Albion forced two outs on the Belles before Jorgensen made it to first and Heim hit a hard grounder, but a double play finished the top of the inning. Going into the bottom of the inning, the Saint Mary’s defense was able to hold Albion to keep the score unchanged. The Belles were unable to score in the top of the fourth, and heading into the bottom of the inning, Albion put up four more runs to steamroll the Belles 11-0.
Game 2
Game 2 was a lot of the same as Albion continued to dominate offensively. Albion took up the role of visiting team and started off the first inning with four runs to take the early lead. Jorgensen singled, and a fielder’s choice from Heim put Jorgensen in scoring position, but the Belles were unable to finish once again. Heading into the second inning, Albion continued by putting three more runs on the board. Albion continued its offensive drive in the third inning, adding another four runs to stay ahead 11-0, and with the Belles unable to score, Albion took the win.
Calvin
Game 1
There was no score between the two teams in the first inning, but Calvin was able to put up the first three runs of the day between the second and third innings. The Belles' defense was able to hold Calvin in the fourth and fifth innings, and vice versa, as Calvin held the Belles’ offense. Going into the sixth inning, Calvin put up four more runs to pull ahead 7-0, and with Saint Mary’s unable to come back, Calvin took the first win of the day.
Game 2
Jorgensen kicked things off by reaching first base off of an error on the defense and stealing second to be in scoring position. Heim followed with a single to the right side to allow Jorgensen to score, putting the Belles up 1-0. These were the first points scored by the Belles in four games. Going into the bottom of the inning, Calvin put two runs on the board to regain the 2-1 lead. The Belles came back in the top of the second inning as Rauch walked and a combined hitting effort from sophomore outfielder Madi Ingolia and junior outfielder Leah Zimmerman allowed Rauch to score and tie the game. In the bottom half of the second, the Belles held the Calvin offense.
Going into the third inning, the Belles were unable to score as Calvin added on two more runs to pull ahead 4-2. Neither team scored in the fourth inning, but heading into the fifth, Calvin kept its offensive drive going by adding on another run, bringing the score to 5-2. Zimmerman kicked off the seventh inning with a line drive to the pitcher to get on base, followed by a triple from Heim to score a run. Freshman Gia Schiavone flew out but gave Heim space to run home and bring the score to 5-4. Freshman catcher and infielder Maddi Duncan then reached first base, followed by junior pitcher Sam Mikitka, to put runners in scoring position. A single from Rauch allowed Duncan to score and tie up the game. Calvin got the last at bat and was able to score a run to take the 6-5 win.
