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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Observer

Red-hot Belles tally two wins

After a nine-game losing streak, the Belles have fought back to win five out of their last six. On a chilly Saturday afternoon, Saint Mary's posted two impressive victories against Adrian College in conference play. After stressing the importance of improving their offense, the team went on to win game one by a score of 9-5 and followed with a 4-0 victory in the second part of the doubleheader.Marnie Walsh said that an increase in batting practice was the key to the offensive improvement in Saturday's game. In the first inning, Angie Ellison doubled to left center from the number two spot, while Laura Heline continued to shine as she singled to center field, scoring the first run. Katrina Tebbe then smacked her first of three hits into right field, good for a triple. She came home to score shortly after on Erin Sullivan's RBI single. And, the Belles' offense wasn't done. They erupted in the second inning as seven runs crossed the plate giving pitcher Kate Sajewich a large cushion to work with. The inning began with Jean Downes reaching first on a single. After an Adrian error, she came all the way around to score. Amy Parker also reached on an error by the second baseman and scored on a Walsh double. Next up was Angie Ellison who nailed a double into center, giving the Belles a 5-0 lead. With two outs, Tebbe knocked a hit into right giving her an RBI before Sullivan singled to the opposite side. After Sajewich was hit by a pitch, Downes cleared the bases with a blistering double giving Saint Mary's a 9-0 lead. Adrian fought back with two runs in the fourth and sixth innings, but was unable to overcome the deficit. Game two was highlighted by the dominating pitching of Libby Wilhelmy. "[Wilhelmy] has been amazing, especially in the last three games posting all shutouts," Walsh said.And Saturday was no different as Wilhelmy went the distance giving up only two hits in seven scoreless innings. The Belles' first run came in the first on a Heline double that scored Walsh. Saint Mary's was back at it again in the second when Tiffany Griffin and Audrey Gajor came around to score on a Walsh single. The final run came in the seventh when Wilhelmy showed that she could do more than just pitch. She dropped a double into center scoring Ellison. The Bulldogs' two hits came in the first and fourth and both were singles. As the MIAA conference tournament rapidly approaches, Walsh believes that the Belles have a very good chance at earning a spot. "In making the tournament, we must continue to play like we did in the last game," Walsh said. "Our defense and hitting are very important." This weekend's doubleheader improves Saint Mary's record to 10-12 on the season and 3-3 in the MIAA.