Under the best weather they've seen all season, the Belles split a doubleheader with Hope College on Monday, winning the first game 3-1 and dropping the second 8-2.
After weeks of rainouts and dreary weather, Saint Mary's (17-13, 7-3 MIAA) was relieved to finally play in the sun, according to Belles coach Erin Sullivan.
"It was the first time it's been nice since we were in Florida," Sullivan said. "I think we were a little looser, but it was just nice not to be freezing."
The Belles began the series with a victory against the Flying Dutch (13-13, 5-3) thanks in part to junior pitcher Callie Selner, who gained her 10th win of the season allowing one run on five hits in seven innings. Senior captain and catcher Morgan Bedan hit two doubles in support of Selner and drew praise from Sullivan.
"Callie Selner and Morgan Bedan pitched and caught an excellent game [respectively]," Sullivan said. "Our defense was also stellar. We had some clutch hits in game one as well, especially from Morgan."
According to Sullivan, Saint Mary's played its most complete game of the season in the first game, which made its letdown in the second game more disappointing.
"We were the best we have been all season in game one. It was incredibly impressive and fun to watch," Sullivan said. "We let game two slip away which was disappointing but I think we learned the mistakes we cannot make going into our last six games of the regular season."
Selner and freshman pitcher Sarah Burke combined to allow six earned runs in six innings pitched in the second game and the Belles' defense allowed two more unearned runs to score. Burke started but was pulled in the third inning. Senior shortstop and captain Emily Sherwood had a strong game at the plate for the Belles, going 2-2 with a run scored.
Sullivan said her team must prepare for more of tough conference games in order to prepare for the upcoming MIAA tournament.
"We are certainly being challenged the most we have been all year and we have a lot of pressure on us to perform at the highest level possible," Sullivan said. "Every game is important at this stage of the season."
After a day off today, the Belles will return to conference play Wednesday against Trine in Angola, Ind.
Contact Casey Karnes at wkarnes@nd.edu
