Saint Mary's (5-8) will look to end its current five-game skid this weekend when it plays in the Trinity International Tournament. The tournament will likely serve as a good test for the Belles before they begin a string of games against MIAA rivals.Most recently, the Belles lost both ends of a double-header to Manchester College by scores of 4-2 and 1-0 on March 17. Both games saw quality pitching performances squandered by poor fielding and weak hitting.In game one, junior Bridget Grall gave up two earned runs and nine hits - only one of which went for extra bases - but the Belles committed three errors and could muster only one run on offense. Game two saw freshman McKenna Corrigan pitch a two-hit gem, but the offense was shutout with three hits and the defense gave up another unearned run.The season has been a roller coaster ride for the Belles thus far, as the team won four straight earlier in the year only to drop the next five. The Belles have yet to put it all together, with the offense and the pitching rarely performing well in the same game. As of late, both the pitching and the hitting have struggled, as the Belles have been outscored 31-7 in the last five games. The Belles have been marred by inconsistent play, which can be expected of a young team. Mother Nature isn't cooperating either, as the Belles' last two home games have been postponed. Finding a rhythm has been difficult for Saint Mary's, as the tournament will be the first action they have seen since March 17.Upon returning from the tourney, the Belles will begin a stretch of 19 games in 25 days before the MIAA Tournament in early May. The Belles will face Tri-State University on Monday and Albion College on Wednesday.
