Belles Fall in Opener to Thunder; Game Two Halted
Saint Mary's Stories
- Kayla Chapman went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run to help pace the offense.
- Sarah Callis was 3-for-3 and scored a run.
- Cassie Young and Caitlyn Migawa had multiple hits for the Belles.
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's softball team fell by a 12-7 final in game one before having game two halted at the top of the fifth inning due to wet field conditions against Trine on a rainy and cold Saturday afternoon.
The Thunder claimed an early lead in game one with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. The Belles came back to knot the score at 1-1 an inning later. Jillian Busfield dropped a single down the right field line to lead off the bottom of the second. Caitlyn Migawa moved Busfield into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt before Kayla Chapman pushed a single through the left side of the defense to put Busfield on third. Morgan Raymer got enough behind the ball to pick up a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Busfield with the Belles' first run.
Trine regained the lead with a solo home run in the top of the third, but that lead was short-lived for the vistors. Makenzie Duncan singled to left field with one out, and Cassie Young laced a double to put runners on second and third. Busfield drove in Duncan with a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game with two outs. Caitlyn Migawa came out on top in a lengthy at bat which included six foul balls. The junior rocketed a double off of the left field fence, where it caused an eruption of cups which had formed a "Go Belles" sign for Senior Day beyond the field boundary, as Young scored easily from second to ignite the Saint Mary's dugout.
The Belles threatened to plate another run in the fourth but broke through in a big way in the bottom of the fifth. Cassie Young led off with a bunt single and stole second to get into scoring position. After a pair of outs made by the Thunder center fielder, Kayla Chapman blasted an opposite field shot where no one could catch it to give Saint Mary's a 5-2 advantage heading into the six inning.
The Thunder, however, responded by sending 14 batters to the plate and notching a 10-run inning on nine hits, two walks, a hit batter, and a sacrifice bunt. The Belles did not go down quietly down the stretch. Saint Mary's was in position to cut into the deficit by loading the bases in the sixth, but a ground out ended the threat for the home side. Down to their final three outs, Morgan Raymer drew a lead-off walk before Sarah Callis singled on a sharply-hit ball up the middle that was knocked down by the Thunder second baseman. Jamie Young loaded the bases with one out after beating a bunt single down the line. Makenzie Duncan drove in Angela Dainelli, who had come in to pinch run for Raymer. Cassie Young then doubled to left field to plate Callis before Jamie Young was cut down at the plate trying to score on the play to end the game.
Kayla Chapman went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run to help pace the offense. Sarah Callis was 3-for-3 and scored a run. Cassie Young posted a 3-for-5 effort at the dish with two runs scored and two doubles. Caitlyn Migawa was 2-for-3 with an RBI double.
Morgan Raymer shouldered the loss in the circle after 5.1 innings of work while surrendering nine runs and striking out three. Zoe Bruni closed out the final 1.2 innings of the game in the circle and did not allow an extra base hit.
Game two of the conference doubleheader was halted at the start of the top fifth inning of play with Trine leading 3-1. A full game recap will be posted once that game has been completed.
The remainder of game two is scheduled to take place beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.