KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Softball would fall in both games of their Sunday doubleheader to Kalamazoo College, 12-4 in game one and 4-3 in game two. The Belles fall to 8-12 (2-4 MIAA) on the year while the Hornets improve to 13-11 (2-4 MIAA).

Game One

Kalamazoo would get out to a hot start early in the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Saint Mary's would get on the board in the second inning, after junior Sam Mikitka (Naperville, IL) would single then advance all the way to third on the next two batters, freshman Lydia Hinga (Portage, MI) would reach on an error that allowed Mikitka to come around to score. 

The Hornets would come back and score seven runs across the third and fourth innings to extend their lead. The Belles would come back in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs to extend the length of the game. After a leadoff single from sophomore Sammy Schrader (Romeoville, IL), she would then advance to second on the play, Hinga would then double to left center to bring Schrader around to score for her second RBI of the game. Freshman Talia Jorgensen (St. Paul, MN) would then launch her first collegiate home run to right center to bring Hinga around to score as well. 

That would be all she wrote for the Belles as the Hornets would come out and score two in the bottom of the sixth to finish the game, 12-4.

Jorgensen would lead the team going 2-3 at the dish with her first home run while adding a run and two RBI's. Five other Belles would record a hit while Hinga would add the other two RBI's.

Freshman Faith Dean (Monroe, MI) would be the pitcher on record, throwing three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. Schrader would throw the final 2.1 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits.

Game Two

Both teams would start slowly in game two before Saint Mary's would come out and put up three runs in the bottom of the third inning. After a single from Hinga and double from Jorgensen, freshman Maddi Duncan (Sarasota, FL) would pinch hit and reach on a fielder's choice, Hinga would score on contact while Jorgensen would advance to third then score off of a throwing error by the first baseman. The error allowed Duncan to advance to second. Freshman Hunter St. Peter (Traverse City, MI) would then single up the middle to bring Duncan around to score, giving the Belles an early 3-0 lead. 

Kalamazoo would tie the game in the fourth and fifth innings with help from two solo home runs. Saint Mary's had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the fifth, but failed to convert. The Hornets would come out and add another run in the sixth to take the lead and would hold on for a 4-3 victory.

Jorgensen would lead the team at the plate, going 3-4 with two doubles and reaching in all four plate appearances and came around to score once. Mikitka would be the pitcher of record, throwing all seven innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits with one strikeout.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's returns home on Wednesday, April 16, as they host Trine University for a double header starting at 3pm. The Belles then head on the road to Adrian College on April 24 before their home finale on April 26 as they host Calvin University for Senior Day.