After the rescheduling of multiple games due to inclement weather, Saint Mary’s softball was finally able to step foot on its home turf for the first time this season to face Aurora in a doubleheader. The doubleheader was also the annual Morgan’s Message game, aimed to raise awareness for athletes’ mental health. Saint Mary’s took the first win of the day 4-3 but lost in the second game 15-4 to split the series.
Game one
The first inning started off scoreless, but the Belles were the first to score in the latter part of the second. Hits from freshman infielder Maggie Voliva, senior captain Sam Mikitka and sophomore infielder Hunter St. Peter combined gave the Belles the lead early in the bottom of the second inning 1-0. Sophomore catcher Lydia Hinga followed, stepping into the box and singling into left to drive in Mikitka and advance St. Peter. Next, sophomore Talia Jorgensen singled to right and reached second on a throwing error, which allowed St. Peter to score. This effort by the offense put the Belles up comfortably 3-0 going into the third inning.
Aurora responded to the deficit by scoring two runs of its own to cut the margin to 3-2. Saint Mary’s was able to respond in the bottom of the fourth courtesy of a SAC bunt from sophomore catcher and first baseman Arianna Vazquez. This put the Belles up 4-2, but Aurora was not finished fighting. The Spartans were able to score one more run against the Belles in the fifth inning to cut the margin to 4-3, but it was not enough. Junior Pitcher Sammy Schrader came in relief in the sixth inning to earn her first save of the season, allowing only two hits. Sophomore Ashlyn Yeo earned the win for the Belles, throwing five innings with two strikeouts. The team effort helped Saint Mary’s earn its first home victory of the season.
Game two
In the second half of the day, Saint Mary’s did not get off to nearly as strong of a start. Aurora began fighting, scoring two runs in the top of the first and shutting out the Belles offense to lead 2-0. In the second inning, Aurora continued their offensive momentum, scoring six runs to take the 8-0 lead over the Belles, seemingly picking apart the Saint Mary’s defense. Aurora scored two more runs in the top of the third inning to lead 10-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Belles scored three runs to cut the margin to 10-3. Aurora scored five more runs in the fourth inning. With the Belles only able to score one more run in the fifth, Aurora won 15-4, run-ruling the Belles.
The mound saw Mikitka for the Belles and Emma Way for the Spartans. The Belles offense struggled in game two of the day, only having a team total of seven hits.
With this, the Belles are now 7-11 on the season and prepare to host a doubleheader against Anderson on Thursday. Game one is set for 3 p.m., and the second to follow at 5 p.m.
