ANGOLA, Ind. - After a rain delay pushed back the start time of the game, the Saint Mary's softball team fell in a tightly-played 3-1 final against Alma in both teams' first contest of the MIAA Tournament at Trine on Thursday.

 

The Belles took the early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. McKenna Myers laced a one-out single to center field, and Mandi Hettinger drew a walk to put two on base. A fielder's choice on a ball hit by Caitlin Traxler forced Hettinger out at second to put runners on the corners with two outs. JoAnna Keilman then pushed a single into left field to drive in Myers for the 1-0 advantage.

 

Alma drew even in the bottom of the second inning. A lead-off single up the middle was followed up two batters later with a double to the left-center gap as McKenna Shoupe's diving attempt at the catch just barely missed the mark. The Scots then took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Alma hit a lead-off double, but Sydney Swartz made a catch at the warning track to record the first out. A come-back grounder to Mandi Hettinger saw the junior cut down the runner trying to advance to third as Alyssa Gutierrez made the tag in more than enough time for the second out. Back-to-back singles followed by an error allowed two runs to score, however, as the Scots pulled ahead 3-1.

 

Saint Mary's put a runner on base in the top of the fifth but were unable to chip away at the deficit. In the top of the seventh, Alyssa Gutierrez beat out an infield single with two outs, and Anna Gruber battled back in the count to draw a pinch-hit walk to put the tying run on base. A hard-hit grounder by Mac Pepper was just cut off by the Alma third baseman, however, as the Scots recorded the force out to end the game.

 

JoAnna Keilman had a hit and an RBI, and McKenna Myers added a hit and scored a run. Alyssa Gutierrez also posted a hit for the Belles. Mandi Hettinger suffered the pitching loss after going six complete in the circle, allowing just one earned run, striking out four, and walking none on just 83 pitches.

 

The Belles (13-16) look to keep their season alive when they face Kalamazoo in an elimination game on day two of the MIAA Tournament at Trine. The game is set to begin at 11:00 a.m.