GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saint Mary's softball team saw their season come to a close in 12-0 (5 innings) and 18-0 (5 innings) setbacks at Calvin on Saturday.

 

McKenna Shoupe led off game one with a walk and stole second base two batters later, but the Belles were unable to cash in on a runner in scoring position in the top of the first. The Knights put three runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first and added two in the second for a 5-0 advantage. The Saint Mary's defense forced Calvin into stranding two runners in the third after Libby Bierbaum induced a fly out to center field with a pair in scoring position to end the inning.

A seven-run outburst by the Knights in the bottom shifted the energy of the game to Calvin as the home side pushed their lead to 12-0. Sam Mikitka hit a single up the middle in the top of the fifth as the Belles tried to get something going on offense, but back-to-back outs ended the at-bats and the game.

 

Sam Mikitka tallied the lone hit of game one for the Belles. McKenna Shoupe had a walk and stole a base, and Libby Bierbaum drew a walk. Bierbaum shouldered the pitching setback in the circle after a complete-game effort against the Knights with a strikeout. 

 

Calvin took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first of game two. Saint Mary's stirred the pot after Caitlin Traxler and Libby Bierbaum each drew two-out walks to put a pair of runners on base, but the Belles were unable to capitalize on the free passes in the bottom of the first frame. The Knights plated eight runs in the second inning for an 11-0 advantage.

 

McKenna Shoupe legged out an infield single in the bottom of the third, but the Belles could not string together the hits and rally as they left the inning empty-handed. Saint Mary's again put a runner on base in the fourth and fifth innings after Libby Bierbaum and Maddie James each laced a single to left field. Each time, however, back-to-back outs ended the scoring chances. Calvin, meanwhile, added four runs in the fourth and three in the fifth as the Knights claimed the 18-0 final.

 

McKenna Shoupe, Libby Bierbaum, and Maddie James each had a hit. Bierbaum and Caitlin Traxler each drew a walk. Sam Mikitka went five complete in the pitching circle with two strikeouts. 

 

The Belles end the season 11-25 overall with a 4-12 mark in conference contests.