KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Saint Mary's College Softball split their Tuesday double-header at The Spring Games, falling to Westminster College, 11-1, to open the day before getting their first win of the season against New England College, 7-4. The Belles improve to 1-5 on the year while the Titans move to 3-2 and the Pilgrims fall to 1-5.
Saint Mary's vs Westminster
Westminster was able to get out to a quick start, scoring in the first off an RBI single, starting a streak that would see the Titans score in every inning. They would come out and score another in the second on a caught stealing which saw the runner from third score before the final out was made.
The Titans would then put up two runs in the third before adding four in the fourth, including a three-run home run, and three in the fifth. Saint Mary's would get on the board after freshman Gia Schiavone (Poland, OH) would reach off a fielder's choice, then after Schiavone stole second, junior Leah Zimmerman (Huntertown, IN) would single to center field to bring her around to score.
Zimmerman along with freshman Talia Jorgensen (St. Paul, MN) would tally a hit for the Belles. Freshman Ashlyn Yeo (Jackson, MI) would make her first collegiate start, going three innings before sophomore Sammy Schrader (Romeoville, IL) would make her third appearance of the season, throwing two innings.
Saint Mary's vs New England
Saint Mary's would have an explosive start against New England. The Belles would open the game with an RBI single from senior Alexis Rauch (Cassopolis, MI) which brought Jorgensen around for an early 1-0 lead.
The Belles would come out and extend that lead further in the second inning, after the first three batters of the inning reached, Zimmerman would fly out to right to bring junior Sam Mikitka (Naperville, IL) around to score. On the next play, Jorgensen would single up the middle to bring home sophomore Madi Ingolia (Lemont, IL) before another single would load the bases for Saint Mary's. Schiavone would finish the rally with a sacrifice fly to right field which saw freshman Lydia Hinga (Portage, MI) come around to score.
The Belles offense would go quiet but their defense would hold strong, as New England began a two-run rally in the third but was cut off before it could grow any larger. The Pilgrims would also score one run in the sixth, cutting Saint Mary's lead to just one.
But the Belles would erupt for three more runs in the top of the seventh inning, started by an RBI single from freshman Hunter St. Peter (Traverse City, MI) and she would bring freshman Maddi Duncan (Sarasota, FL) around to score. After a double steal from Rauch and St. Peter, Mikitka would reach on a throwing error by the shortstop which allowed both runners to come around to score.
The Belles would turn to Schrader to finish off the game in the seventh, but the Pilgrims would plate another run to start their final stab at a comeback. But with the bases loaded, Schrader would get the final two batters to fly and pop out to end the game, sealing the first win of the season for Saint Mary's.
Jorgensen would lead the team, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Duncan, Rauch, and St. Peter would all go 2 for 4 on the day while Rauch and St. Peter would each add a stolen base and an RBI. Freshman Faith Dean would lead the Belles in the circle en route to her first collegiate win, going 3.1 innings, allowing just four hits and two unearned runs while striking out four batters. Mikitka would come into the game in relief, throwing 2.2 innings and striking out three batters while Schrader would pitch the final inning.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's will have a day off before continuing play at The Spring Games on Thursday as they take on Meredith College at 1:45 pm and finish off the day with a nightcap against Gordon College at 6:30 pm.