Nearing the end of its season, the Saint Mary’s softball team faced off against No. 5 Hope College in a doubleheader.
Game one
Starting the game, neither team put runs on the board in the first three innings. Hope held the Belles offense in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth inning, freshman pitcher Faith Dean was in the circle for the Belles, and sophomore transfer and infielder Laura Heim threw out the batter to get the first out of the inning. Hope managed a double to get into scoring position, but after two Hope players flew out, the game moved to the fifth inning and kept the score tied at zero.
Senior infielder Alexis Rauch kicked off the top of the fifth inning with a double to the left side to put the Belles in scoring position. Freshman catcher and infielder Lydia Hinga singled to the Hope shortstop to advance Rauch to third. Sophomore outfielder Madi Ingolia came up to bat and hit a single to load the bases. Junior outfielder Leah Zimmerman reached first on a fielder’s choice, and freshman infielder Talia Jorgensen hit a triple to allow Hinga, Ingolia and Zimmerman to score, putting the Belles up 3-0. Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Hope put two runners on, but the Belles held the Hope offense to stay ahead.
The Hope defense got two outs quickly in the top of the sixth before Rauch singled to the outfield to start the Belles offense, but the Belles were unable to finish, keeping the score the same. In the latter half of the inning, Hope quickly put two runners on base, but a single from Hope allowed a run to bring the score to 3-1. Freshman pitcher Ashlyn Yeo went in for Dean as Hope put another runner on base. Another single from Hope allowed it to put another run on the board to close the score gap to one, but the Belles held them, ending the inning up 3-2. In the final inning, Ingolia hit a single, and a fielder’s choice from Zimmerman allowed Ingolia to get into scoring position. A single to the left side from Jorgensen advanced Ingolia to third base, and a double from freshman catcher and infielder Maddi Duncan allowed Jorgensen and Ingolia to score, pulling the Belles ahead 5-2. As Hope was unable to come back, the Belles took the 5-2 win.
Game two
In the top of the first inning, the Belles were able to hold the Hope offense, and going into the bottom of the inning, Hope managed one out before Heim singled to the left side. Freshman outfielder Gia Schiavone was then walked to put Heim in scoring position. Hunter St. Peter grounded out, but junior pitcher Sam Mikitka walked to load the bases before a line drive caught by Hope ended the inning. Going into the second inning, Mikitka remained in the circle for the Belles as Hope looked to make a comeback. Hope took a quick jump, putting runners on first and third, and with another double, Hope took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Going into the bottom of the inning, Hinga and Ingolia made it on base, and a single from Zimmerman allowed Hinga to score and tie the game. Heim made it on base and Schiavone doubled to put another run on the board, and the Belles took the 2-1 lead.
Atop the third inning, the Belles held the Hope offense, and in the bottom half, Hope replied by holding the Belles offense. Hope made its comeback in the top of the fourth inning, putting two runs on the board to lead 3-2. They continued their drive into the top of the fifth with another run, making the score 4-2. Hope then scored another three in the sixth inning and three in the seventh. While the Belles managed two more runs, Hope came out on top with the 11-4 win.
