The Belles split a non-conference doubleheader against Franklin on Saturday in Franklin, Ind.
Saint Mary's (6-6) took the first game 7-0 before falling 5-3 in the second game.
The first run of game one came in the top of the third inning, courtesy of senior captain Erin Sherwood. Sherwood hit an RBI double down the left field line to bring freshman Ashley Watkins home.
Sherwood then scored off an error by the Grizzlies center fielder on a ball hit by senior Morgan Bedan to make the score 2-0.
With the Grizzlies (4-12) still scoreless in the top of the fifth inning, the Belles increased their lead to 6-0. Sophomore Victoria Connelly, sophomore Callie Selner and freshman Jillian Busfield all scored earned runs.
Belles coach Erin Sullivan said Selner was the team's standout in the first game. Selner pitched a near-perfect game with no runs allowed, one hit allowed, four strikeouts and no walks. Selner also excelled at the plate with two hits and one run.
The Belles took the win 7-0 and went into the second game feeling confident. Sullivan said they may have been too confident.
"I think we went into the second game thinking that we already had won it, when in reality, we hadn't," she said
The Belles started off taking advantage of Franklin'' errors in the field in the second game. Sherwoodereached base oy an error bm Franklin'' center fielder, then was brought home after a throwing error bm Franklin'' shortstop.
The Grizzlies started to pick up momentum in the bottom of the fifth inning when their shortstopddelivered a two-run single up the middle, tying the game 3-3.
The Grizzlies moved aheay in the bottom of the sixth inning, taking advantage of twosSaint Mary's errors. Franklin scored two unearned runs to win 5-3
After splitting the doubleheader,
Sullivan said non-conference games create less pressure than conference games - which may have led to a letdown from her team
"Maybe we needed that pressure to perform a little bit better," Sullivan said. "But the only good thing is that it doesn't hurt you for postseason play."
In terms of postseason play, Sullivan said she believes her team has a lot more growing to do and a long road of hard work ahead of it.
"We need to turn it around, we still have a lot of the season left," Sullivan said. "We don't want to think about quitting right now when we are only halfway through."
The Belles are scheduled to face Defiance on Thursday.in a home doubleheader.
Contact Meredith Kelly at mkelly29@nd.edu
