On Wednesday afternoon, the Saint Mary’s softball team faced off against Adrian College. The Belles fell in the first game 14-4 but won the second game 4-1. The team also celebrated senior day for its lone senior, pitcher Sam Mikitka.
The Belles started off the game hot, putting up three runs in the first inning to take the early lead. Adrian, while unable to add anything in the first inning, scored six runs in the top of the second to make the score 6-3. The Belles found their way to home plate in the bottom of the second to make the score 6-4. Adrian kept its offensive streak going into the third inning as it put up five more runs to extend its lead to seven. While there was no scoring in the fourth inning, Adrian rounded out its dominant offensive play in the top of the fifth inning with three runs to make the final score 14-4.
Sophomore pitcher Ashlyn Yeo started the game for the Belles, throwing one inning and allowing five runs on five hits while striking out one batter. Then, Mikitka took over and pitched two innings while allowing six runs on seven hits. Junior pitcher Sammy Schrader rounded out the game, pitching the last two innings and allowing three runs, only two of which were earned, on two hits. Offensively, sophomore second baseman and outfielder Talia Jorgensen led the way for the Belles with two hits, one run and an RBI. Behind her was sophomore shortstop Hunter St. Peter with two hits and an RBI.
The second game was intense from both teams. Saint Mary’s again started out the scoring in the top of the first inning thanks to a combined effort from a bunt single and two stolen bases from Jorgensen and a ground out from junior catcher Allie Moss that brought Jorgensen home. Neither team scored in the second inning, but in the third inning, Jorgensen found her way home again thanks to freshman center fielder Isabelle Hochmuth to give the Belles a 2-0 lead. Adrian cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning to make the score 2-1, but the Belles added runs for themselves in the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead to 4-1. After no runs from each team in the sixth and seventh innings, the Belles took home the win.
Sophomore pitcher Aubrey Zachary threw a complete game for the Belles and improved to a 6-3 record on the season. Zachary only allowed four hits on one run while striking out seven batters.
The Belles will travel to Albion to play their final series on May 1 with the first game to start at 1 p.m. and the second to start at 3 p.m.
