A Different Kind of Double-Double

It is not exactly a new concept for a pair of sisters to play together on a team. In fact, nearly every Saint Mary's team has had a pair of sisters on the squad at least once within the past ten years. The 2015 Belles softball team, however, has taken that "sister act" to a completely different level.

twins standing and sitting togetherThe softball team is easily in the minority of NCAA Division III programs by boasting two sets of twins. Cassie and Jamie Young have always wanted to share their collegiate experience with one another and made the short trek from South Bend to Saint Mary's for their destination.

Morgan and Kayla Raymer, meanwhile, have two different career paths in mind which would have led to the pair splitting up in order to achieve those goals until the Mount Washington, Kentucky natives found out more about Saint Mary's.

"We were hoping to play together," said Kayla. "The odds of us playing together weren't looking very good, but then we found Saint Mary's and all of the doors opened up for us."

Thanks to the College's nursing program as well as the collaboration between Saint Mary's and Notre Dame in the Navy ROTC program, the Raymers also found a home at Saint Mary's. And, so far, the rest is history in the making.

Each pair describes her sister as each other's biggest fan as well as someone who will always give honest feedback of what she can do to be the best possible player on the field.

"I am her biggest fan," said Cassie about Jamie. "We are also each other's critic though too. We help each other out a lot."

"Kayla is definitely my biggest fan," added Morgan. "But if I am having an off day, you can bet that she is right there telling me what needs to be done to make things right again. On good days, she still in my ear telling me to keep up the good work."

two sets of twins standing togetherDespite having grown up with a twin sister, however, sometimes having another set of twins on the team causes a bit of confusion.

"It's nice to have another set of twins because they understand when situations specific to twins happen like being called the wrong name," said Jamie. "At times it can get confusing like when someone refers to 'the twins', which twins?"

"It's definitely different," added Kayla in regard to playing with another set of twins. "I know what everyone else goes through trying to tell the difference between Morgan and me. I still get Jamie and Cassie mixed up all the time!"

When the first pitch is thrown, though, all that matters for all four Belles is doing whatever they can to help the team win. The team has done just that this season, thanks in big part to their own version of a double-double.

Cassie has been a mainstay in the outfield while Jamie has started every game for the Belles at shortstop. Kayla has made an appearance in 28 games as a catcher and third baseman, and Morgan leads the team in innings pitched and strikeouts while playing in 21 games as a starting pitcher and designated player. Combined, the four account for more than 125 of the team's 300 hits, 90 of the Belles' 209 runs scored, and nearly 70 of the team's 170 runs batted in during the 2015 season.

That collaboration and success along with big contributions from the entire team has the Belles above the 20-win plateau and back in the MIAA Tournament for the first time since the 2012 season. All mix-ups aside, one thing is for certain – the Youngs and the Raymers are here to play, and the Belles are ready to win.

Back to Stories