ANGOLA, Ind. - The Saint Mary's softball team fell 17-0 (5 innings) and 22-0 (5 innings) against No. 7 ranked Trine on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Thunder took a big lead in the bottom of the first inning with an eight-run outburst. Trine added a run in the second inning as the Belles forced the Thunder into stranding a pair of runners on base. A five-run third and a three-run fourth, however, extended the Trine lead to the final 17-0 margin. 

 

The Belles were unable to get a bounce to go their way offensively in the opener as they were held without a hit. Caitlin Traxler collected two walks, and Alexis Rauch was hit by a pitch. Libby Bierbaum went the distance in the circle and tallied two strikeouts. 

 

Trine plated three runs in the top of the first inning of game two and were able to plate runs in each of their trips to the plate in the nightcap. 

 

Saint Mary's put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the first inning of game two. McKenna Shoupe reached on an error, and Mac Pepper put down a sacrifice bunt to push Shoupe to second. Back-to-back outs ended the scoring chance as Shoupe was unable to advance any further.

 

Sam Mikitka led off the bottom of the third with a single up the middle, and the freshman moved to second on an infield ground out two batters later before another out ended the inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Caitlin Traxler drove a double off the base of the left field fence to lead off the inning. Libby Bierbaum followed up with a solid single up the middle, but Traxler was cut down between third and home as the Belles hunted for a run. Rylee Hershberger led off the fifth inning with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out. A pop up and a diving catch in center field saw Hersberger get stranded in the 22-0 final.

 

Caitlin Traxler hit a double, and Sam Mikitka and Libby Bierbaum each added a hit. Rylee Hershberger drew a walk. Traxler shouldered the pitching setback after four complete innings with two strikeouts, and Libby Bierbaum closed out the final inning of play in the circle.

 

The Belles (7-23, 2-10 MIAA) are back at home on Tuesday, May 2 when they host Manchester for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m. It will also be Senior Day for Mac Pepper.