Belles Fall in Game One, Game Two Halted Against Bulldogs
Saint Mary's Stories
- Cassie Young went 2-for-3 in game one with a two-run home run and three RBIs.
- Makenzie Duncan was 2-fo-4.
- Caitlyn Migawa drove in two while hitting a double.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Saint Mary's softball team lost their opening MIAA contest of the year by a 6-5 score against Adrian before having game two halted due to darkness on Tuesday evening.
The Belles jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning in game one. Jamie Young drew a one-out walk, and Cassie Young blasted a home run two batters later to give the Belles the early advantage.
The Bulldogs plated a run in the top of the second on back-to-back singles. The Belles looked to have the momentum back in their favor in the bottom half of the inning. Kelsey Richards drew a lead-off walk, Kayla Raymer singled to center field, and Eliese Hornberger was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Saint Mary's, however, was not able to get a run across as the momentum swung further toward Adrian after the big defensive stop.
The Bulldogs took the lead half an inning later with a two-run home run and later made it a 4-2 game with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Adrian took advantage of a defensive miscue and scored two more runs to hold a 6-2 lead midway through the fifth inning.
Saint Mary's chipped away at the deficit in the bottom half of the inning. Sarah Callis led off with a single to center field, and Jamie Young beat out a bunt to put runners on first and second. Makenzie Duncan added a single up the middle to load the bases with no outs. Cassie Young drew a walk to push a run in to make it a 6-3 game. Two batters later, Caitlyn Migawa got enough behind the ball to pick up a sacrifice fly to center field allowing Jamie Young to score from third.
The defense picked up their first 1-2-3 inning of the game in the sixth, including a diving catch in center field by Cassie Young, to get back up to bat quickly. It was not until the Belles were down to their final at bats, however, that the offense put the pressure on the Bulldogs' defense. Cassie Young dropped down a bunt single with one out already gone and moved into scoring position on a ground out. Caitlyn Migawa sailed a double over the center fielder's head to easily score Young and put the tying run on second base. The comeback in game one was not to be for the Belles as a strike out ended the game 6-5 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Sarah Burke shouldered the loss in the circle after being charged with five runs on six hits with four strikeouts in four-plus innings. Mary Green closed out the final three-plus innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits.
Cassie Young went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and three runs driven in for the Belles. Makenzie Duncan was 2-for-4 in game one. Caitlyn Migawa drove in two while hitting a double to help the Saint Mary's offense.
Game two was suspended at the start of the fifth inning. A full recap for that game will be posted once the contest is completed. By conference rule, the two teams plan to take the field tomorrow, April 6, at 5:00 p.m. to complete the game.