ANDERSON, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Softball split a Tuesday double header with Anderson University, winning game one 9-2, and falling in game two, 4-0. The Belles move to 6-8 on the year while the Ravens also move to 6-8.
Game One
Saint Mary's would start off the game very aggressively on the base path. After a single to right field, freshman Gia Schiavone (Poland, OH) would advance to second on a wild pitch before stealing third and coming around to score on a throwing error by the catcher. Anderson would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the first before both teams would go quiet in the next two innings.
The Belles would erupt in the fourth inning, powered by a two-run home run by freshman Hunter St. Peter (Traverse City, MI), her first collegiate home run, bringing around Schiavone to score as well. After a double and single, freshman Lydia Higna (Portage, MI) would single up the middle to bring senior Alexis Rauch (Cassopolis, MI) around to score.
Saint Mary's wouldn't stop there as they would come out and add three more runs in the sixth inning to extend their lead further. After a lead off double from St. Peter, junior Sophie Allen (Osceola, IN) would double to left field, bringing St. Peter around to score. Freshman Faith Dean (Monroe, MI) would then double herself, bringing Allen around to score. After a ground out allowed Dean to advance to third, freshman Katie Hans (Novi, MI) would get a pinch hit single to bring her around to score.The Ravens would add another run in the bottom of the inning.
The Belles onslaught wouldn't stop there, adding two more runs onto their large lead. After a leadoff single and back-to-back errors by the Anderson shortstop, St. Peter would add two more RBI's to her tally as she would single, bringing Schiavone and sophomore Laura Heim (Howards Grove, WI) around to score.
St. Peter would lead the team at the plate, going 3 for 4 with two extra base hits and four RBI's while also scoring twice. Dean would follow suit, going 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Schiavone would join the multi-hit party, going 2 for 4 while stealing two bases and coming around to score three times.
Dean would earn her fourth win of the season, throwing a complete game, allowing just two runs on three hits and striking out one. This would be her second complete game of the season and her fourth time throwing five or more innings.
Game Two
The Saint Mary's offense would be stalled in game two, being held scoreless for just the third time this season. Anderson would add three runs in the first two innings before tacking on another in the sixth.
Four Belles would record a hit, Heim and juniors Sam Mikitka (Naperville, IL) and Leah Zimmerman (Huntertown, IN) would each record singles while freshman Talia Jorgensen (St. Paul, MN) would record a double.
Mikitka would throw all six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and striking out four batters.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's opens MIAA play with back-to-back home series, kicking off conference play by hosting Alma College on Saturday, April 5, with a double header starting at 1pm. The Belles then welcome in the University of Olivet on Tuesday, April 8, with the double header starting at 3pm.