The Belles postponed their second double header in a row Sunday, adding two games against North Park to the pair of contests against Manchester already on the rescheduling list. It has been over a week since the Belles (8-4) have seen action. They swept Dominican on March 23.
Saint Mary’s has two more non-conferences game before beginning conference play on April 5. The Belles return to action today against Carthage (6-4). Carthage, ranked No. 22 in Division III by National Fastpitch Coaches Association in the preseason, won its last game against Colby College, 4-1. Early this season, the Lady Reds are being led by freshman pitcher Darian Pelsor who leads Carthage in batting average of those who have had at least 15 at-bats, doubles and total bases and is tied for the team league in slugging percentage. In addition, Pelsor has made four appearances and two starts on the mound this season.
In the last meeting between the two teams, Carthage swept the Belles in the 2012 season, racking up a run differential of 20-5 in the two games. This season, the Belles have opened up a six-game winning streak that includes a .350 team batting average and only six earned runs allowed.
Senior pitcher and captain Callie Selner has been the leader of the Saint Mary’s team so far, leading the team in batting average (.448) and doubles (8). Selner has made her mark in the Saint Mary’s softball record books both batting and pitching. Selner is fifth in career RBIs with 93, and is only nine RBIs behind Laura Richter (1993-1996) for the program’s second spot in the category. She also ranks first in career wins (41) and second in career strikeouts (327). Selner broke the record for most wins in a single season with 17 in 2012. Sophomore outfielder Jillian Busfield has also made her mark on the Belles team ranking fifth on the all-time hom-erun rankings, and last season as a freshman, Busfield broke the single-season record for most home runs with 11.
Now with four games yet to be rescheduled, the Belles will compete against Carthage in Kenosha, Wisc., on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
