The Saint Mary’s softball team fell to 6-10 on the season and 0-2 in the conference after their MIAA home opener against the Alma Scots over this past weekend. Alma took the first game 14-1 and the second 8-3.
Game One
Starting the top of the first inning, Alma was off to a strong start with a single from Jordyn Porter, a triple to left field and an RBI from Reneigh Sandmann and a fielder's choice that allowed Sandmann to make it home. Two more singles from Alma gave them another run. In the bottom of the first, Saint Mary's was unable to score, allowing Alma to keep a 3-0 lead. Heading into the top of the second inning, Alma continued their offensive drive with a walk, double and a single to score two runs and was followed by a home run from Morgan Brandau which gave Alma two more runs, pulling ahead to 7-0. The Belles scored their sole run in the bottom of the second inning as a combined effort from junior pitcher Sam Mikitka and senior infielder Alexis Rauch put themselves in scoring position. A single to left field from freshman catcher and infielder Lydia Hinga allowed Mikitka to score before ending the inning 7-1 in Alma's favor.
Alma did not back down in the top of the third as they continued to score on the Belles defense. With a combined four hits, the Scots were able to put two more runs on the board to extend their lead to 9-1. With no runs from the Belles in the bottom of the inning, the Scots were uninterrupted offensively as they added on four more runs in the top of the fourth inning to go ahead 13-1. Alma added their final run in the fifth inning and with the Belles unable to make any kind of comeback, they took the 14-1 win.
Game Two
Saint Mary's started off the second game as the visitors but were unable to pull through offensively in the top of the first, allowing Alma to take a two-run lead in the bottom of the inning with a fielder's choice and a home run. Neither team scored in the second inning and with Saint Mary’s unable to score in the top of the third, Alma capitalized on their chances and was able to put up two more runs, bringing the score to 4-0.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Belles added on their first run of the game as singles from freshman utility Gia Schiavone and freshman catcher Arianna Vazquez brought the score to 4-1. Alma, not taken aback, added on four runs in response in the bottom of the fourth to stay ahead 8-1. Neither team scored in the fifth or sixth inning, but the Belles added the final two runs of the day in the seventh inning thanks to singles from Mikitka and sophomore outfielder Madi Ingolia and a fielder’s choice from freshman outfielder Talia Jorgensen.
