Belles Claim Opener in Dramatic Fashion, Fall in Game Two to Bulldogs

Game One Box Score - Game Two Box Score

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's softball team claimed a 3-2 win on a suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one against Adrian on Saturday before falling 5-1 in game two.

The Bulldogs claimed the lead in the top of the first inning of the opening game with a pair of singles and an infield ground out.

Angela Dainelli comes in to touch home after hitting a solo home run.
Angela Dainelli comes in to touch home after hitting
a solo home run.
The score stayed 1-0 in favor of Adrian until the bottom of the third inning when Angela Dainelli sent a solo home run - the first home run of her collegiate career - beyond the left field fence to knot the game at 1-1.

The Bulldogs edged ahead 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning on a trio of hits, but the lead was short-lived. Saint Mary's started a two-out rally with a single by Caitlyn Migawa. After an error by the Adrian shortstop put Cecily Reyes on first and Migawa on second, Jillian Busfield laced a single to left field to plate Migawa.

In the top of the seventh, the Belles retired the Bulldogs in order with a line-drive snag in left field by Sarah Callis, a ground out to Migawa at shortstop, and a diving catch in right field by Nina Vlahiotis.

The momentum from the diving catch by Vlahiotis carried over into an almost instant offense in the bottom of the seventh. Dainelli continued a strong day at the plate with a single to left field that was misplayed and allowed the sophomore to move all the way to third base. Vlahiotis executed the suicide squeeze bunt and the play at the plate was not close as Angela Dainelli slid in well before the throw for the game-winning run.

Callie Selner picked up the win in the circle after going seven complete with two earned runs on seven hits and three strikeouts. Dainelli went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI. Migawa, Busfield, and Callis all added a hit apiece.

In game two, Adrian took little time establishing a lead with two runs on four consecutive hits in the bottom of the first inning.

The Belles got a run back in the top of the second inning. Jillian Busfield led off with a single up the middle and moved up to second on an fielding error which allowed Callie Selner to reach first base. Two batters later, Busfield scored from second on a line drive by Jackie Martinez which glanced off the top of the Bulldogs' shortstop, who was jumping to catch the ball.

Saint Mary's was poised to pull even with the Bulldogs in the top of the fourth inning, but a bases loaded situation came up empty in the runs column for the Belles.

Adrian hit through the order in the bottom of the fifth, resulting in three runs on four hits, a hit batter, and a walk for a 5-1 lead through five complete.

The Belles were able to get a runner aboard in the top of the seventh, but the offense was unable to manufacture a comeback as Saint Mary's fell by the 5-1 final margin.

Sarah Burke suffered the loss in game two, allowing four earned runs in four-plus innings. Callie Selner came in to face the third batter of the fifth inning and pitched the remainder of the contest while striking out three.

Jillian Busfield led the Belles in game two with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with a double and a run scored. Callis, Dainelli, and Jackie Martinez each added a hit the nightcap.

The Belles (13-13, 5-7 MIAA) travel to Manchester for a non-conference doubleheader on Monday, April 21 starting at 3:30 p.m.

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