This season, the Saint Mary’s softball team entered its second year under head coach Jordyn Walter. Saint Mary’s completed its season 19-21 overall — the program’s best record since its 36-7 finish in 2019. In addition, the team finished No. 6 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a jump from last season’s eighth-place ranking.
The Belles kicked off their season earlier than usual, starting in February rather than March. The beginning of the season was rocky, as the Belles went 2-4 before heading to Melbourne, Fla., where they finished the week with a 4-6 spring break record for a 6-10 overall mark. Despite this, the Belles were able to make a comeback and find their groove, heading into the middle of the season.
The Belles were led on the field by sole senior pitcher, first baseman and senior captain Sam Mikitka. Over her four years at Saint Mary’s, Mikitka has had 57 strikeouts, averaging a 6.11 ERA over the 180 innings she has pitched. Two other pitchers led on the mound for the Belles this year, including sophomore pitcher and outfielder Ashlyn Yeo and sophomore Aubrey Zachary. Yeo pitched 65 innings with 26 outs and finished with a season ERA of 8.04. Zachary, a transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne, pitched 57 innings for the Belles, recording 51 strikeouts with an impressive 2.95 ERA.
That is not all, though. The Saint Mary’s offense was equally strong both in the box and on the base paths. At the plate, freshman outfielder and midfielder Isabelle Hochmuth led the Belles. With 114 at-bats, Hochmuth finished her first campaign with an average of .430, 32 runs, 49 hits, 48 RBIs, 12 doubles, two triples and an impressive nine home runs.
Next to her was sophomore second baseman and outfielder Talia Jorgensen. After being named First Team All-MIAA last year, Jorgensen continued to deliver for the Belles, concluding this season with 109 at-bats, an average of .385, 32 runs, 42 hits, three doubles, six triples and 14 RBIs.
Junior catcher Allie Moss paced the squad, as she broke a program record for bases stolen in a season against Hope College on April 18, hitting 22 stolen bases. But she did not stop there. Moss rounded out her season going 25-30 on stolen base attempts, which set a new record for the Belles softball program.
While the Belles did not make it to the MIAA tournament, they showed fight and grit this season with hopes for a better one next year.
