Belles Split with Comets in Roller Coaster Doubleheader
Game One Box Score - Game Two Box Score
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Each team picked up a win in their final at bats on Saturday as the Saint Mary's softball team had a walk-off 5-4 win in game one before visiting Olivet won 10-9 in similar fashion in game two.
In the opener, Olivet claimed a 4-0 lead through their first two at-bats with three runs in the first and one run in the second.
The Belles drew even with the Comets in the bottom of the third inning. Sarah Callis was hit by a pitch with one out, and Cassie Young dropped a two-out single into left-center field and advanced to second on the throw to put runners in scoring position. Jillian Busfield then punched a single to right-center field to score both runners to make it a 4-2 game. Morgan Raymer knotted the game up on a 2-1 count with a home run to left-center field.
The score remained locked at 4-4 as Mary Green and the Belles' defense retired the next twelve Olivet batters in-a-row.
Caitlyn Migawa connects with the
game-winning single in the bottom
of the seventh.Saint Mary's had a runner on base in both the fifth and sixth innings but were unable to push the go-ahead run across. That all changed in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jamie Young led off the inning with a bunt single and then stole second base. Two batters later, the Comets intentionally walked Jillian Busfield to put runners at first and second. Morgan Raymer hit a roller to the Olivet shortstop, but Young beat out the shovel throw to third to load the bases. After an out was recorded, Caitlyn Migawa stepped up to the plate and ended the game with a single to left field to drive in Young from third base.
Mary Green earned the relief pitching win after going 5.0 innings and allowing just one hit and striking out one. Sarah Burke had the no decision after two innings of work with a strikeout.
Caitlyn Migawa was 3-for-4 in game one with the game-winning RBI. Jillian Busfield went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while scoring a run. Morgan Raymer had two RBIs with a home run.
The game two outcome was far from predictable.
Saint Mary's struck first in the top of the first inning. Sarah Callis started the game with a double to right-center field and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jamie Young. Cassie Young then dropped a single into shallow center field to easily score Callis from third. The Belles were on the verge of getting more than one run after Morgan Raymer hit a two-out double to put runners on second and third, but the threat was stopped short on an infield pop up to end the inning.
Olivet pushed two runs across in the first inning and added an unearned run in the second to go ahead 3-2. Saint Mary's kept well within striking distance by responding with an unearned run in the top of the third. Jamie Young hit a one-out single up the middle. Cassie Young put down the sacrifice bunt, and Jamie would score on the play after the Comets' shortstop made an errant throw in the attempt to get her out at third after the sacrifice.
The Comets regained a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth after another unearned run, but the Belles tied the game in their next trip to the plate.
Cassie Young beat out a bunt for a single to start the inning. After Young moved up to second on an infield ground out, Morgan Raymer drove her in with a single to left field. Kayla Chapman drew a two-out walk to keep the inning alive. Emily Najacht then had a clutch pinch hit single to left center field to score Victoria Connelly, who had come in to pinch run for Raymer, to tie the game at 4-4.
Olivet put together a two-out rally of their own in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run before loading the bases. The Belles, however, got out of the jam with a fly out to trail by just one run heading into the top of the seventh inning.
With their backs against the wall and two outs gone in their final at bats, the Belles made a huge comeback in the seventh. Cassie Young sent a single past the Comets' shortstop. Jillian Busfield then dropped a double over the right fielder's head to score Young and tie the game yet again. Morgan Raymer drew a walk on just five pitches, and Caitlyn Migawa drove in Busfield with a single to right field to give the Belles just their second lead of the game. Kayla Chapman delivered a big blow to the Comets with a three-run home run to make it 9-5 in favor of the Belles. Kelsey Richards hit a double to keep the inning alive, but the freshman was stranded at second to end the inning as the game moved to the bottom of the seventh.
The Comets put together a one-out rally to score five runs in their offensive half of the inning to stun the Belles while taking the 10-9 decision. Olivet scored their five runs on four hits, a walk, a hit batter, and an error in the inning.
Mary Green shouldered the loss in the circle. Morgan Raymer went 3.2 innings and struck out four while Jessica Alberts and Sarah Burke each came in to the game for less than an inning each.
Cassie Young went 3-for-3 at the dish in game two with two runs scored and an RBI. Morgan Raymer was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Kayla Chapman was 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and a pair of walks. Sarah Callis and Kelsey Richards each added a double for the Belles.
Saint Mary's (17-7, 4-2 MIAA) travels to Alma tomorrow for a rescheduled conference doubleheader against the Scots beginning at 2:00 p.m.