NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's softball team fell 5-3 and 10-2 (5 innings) in a doubleheader against visiting Wheaton on Thursday evening.

 

The Belles got on the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Libby Bierbaum got things going with a two-out single to right field, and Natalie Quinlan drew a walk to put two runners on base. Paige Madden then drove a single up the middle to score Bierbaum from second for a 1-0 lead. 

 

Saint Mary's kept the offense going with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. Caitlin Traxler hit a one-out single, and Alexis Rauch dropped a single down the left field line with two outs to put a pair on base. Grace Renschen then belted a double down the left field line to push both Traxler and Rauch across to put the Belles up 3-0.

 

Wheaton used a pair of doubles and a two-out infield single to plate two runs in the top of the fourth, and the Thunder went ahead in the top of the fifth after capitalizing on an error which saw two runs come in to score. 

 

The Belles were knocking on the door in the bottom of the sixth. Natalie Quinlan drew a walk, and McKenna Shoupe came in to pinch run. Paige Madden then drew a walk, and Mac Pepper earned a free pass of her own to first base to load the bags. A shallow fly out did not allow Shoupe to tag up with the potential game-tying run, and another fly out ended the scoring chance. 

 

The Thunder pushed another run across in the top of the seventh to make it a 5-3 score. The Belles battled down the stretch as Alexis Rauch and Libby Bierbaum each drew a walk in the seventh inning. An infield groundout, however, closed out the game by the 5-3 final. 

 

Every batter in the Belles' starting lineup safely reached base at least once in the opener. Grace Renschen had a double and drove in two runs while Paige Madden had a hit, a walk, and an RBI. Libby Bierbaum and Alexis Rauch added a hit, a walk, and a run each. Caitlin Traxler posted a hit and scored a run. Mandi Hettinger had a no-decision in the circle after opening the first four innings as the senior scattered two runs on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Grace Renschen suffered the pitching loss after going the final three innings with just one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout.

 

Libby Bierbaum retired the side in order in the top of the first inning of game two, and the Belles responded by getting a pair of runs across in the bottom half of the inning. McKenna Myers reached safely on a one-out walk, and Caitlin Traxler was hit by a pitch to put a pair of runners on base. A fielder's choice saw Mandi Hettinger reach first base safely while Traxler was forced out at second. Hettinger then swiped second base to put two runners into scoring position with two outs, and Alexis Rauch delivered a two-out single to left field to drive in both Myers and Hettinger. 

 

Wheaton pushed a run across in the top of the second inning and added another run in the third to tie the game. Mac Pepper led off the third with a single up the middle, and McKenna Myers put down a sacrifice bunt on the first pitch she saw to put Pepper into scoring position. A passed ball allowed Pepper to move to third base, but the Belles were unable to drive in the junior.

 

A five-run fourth inning by Wheaton saw the Thunder gain a 7-2 lead, and the visiting side added three runs in the fifth for a 10-2 lead. Needing at least one run to keep the game going, the Belles could not get the late-inning offense going in the 10-2 final.

 

Alexis Rauch went 2-for-2 with two RBI. Mac Pepper added a hit. McKenna Myers scored a run, drew a walk, and had a sacrifice. Mandi Hettinger added a run and a stolen base. Libby Bierbaum shouldered the loss in the circle after going four complete. Hettinger closed out the final inning of the game. 

 

The Belles (10-19) conclude their season on Friday when they host Albion at 3:00 p.m. Natalie Quinlan, Mandi Hettinger, and Winnie Tomsheck will be recognized following the completion of the doubleheader for Senior Day festivities.