Belles Sweep Knights

Game One Box Score - Game Two Box Score

• Jamie Young went 2-for-4 with an RBI while reaching the 200 hit mark for her career in game one.
• She added a 4-for-5 effort in game two with two triples, and Kelsey Richards went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in game two.
• Morgan Raymer and Jessica Alberts each had complete-game wins for the Belles.

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's softball team took a 3-0 win in game one and an 8-3 decision in game two against No. 20 ranked Calvin in conference play on Monday afternoon.

Each side stranded a lead-off runner in the first inning, and both sides were retired in order in the second inning as the opening game moved along quickly. In the top of the third, the Knights had a one-out single followed by a walk and a passed ball to put runners on second and third. Cassie Young snagged a shallow line drive to center field to keep both runners in place, and Jamie Young shut the door on the inning with a routine ground out to stop Calvin from getting on the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the third, Kelsey Richards drew a lead-off walk. Alyssa Gutierrez sacrifice bunted Richards to second, and Jamie Young singled to center field for the 200th hit of her career to score Richards from second on the play.

Morgan Raymer and the defense retired the Knights in order in both the fourth and fifth innings. Saint Mary's added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Kelsey Keilman had a well-placed single to short stop with two outs, and Makenzie Duncan rocketed a single to third base to put two runners on base. A passed ball allowed the pair to move into scoring position. Cassie Young had a hard-hit ball to second base, which resulted in an error by the Knight's defense as both Keilman and Duncan came in to score on the play.

The Knights threatened to cut into the deficit in the top of the sixth. A pair of singles and an advance on the throw put runners on second and third with two outs. Raymer drew a soft pop up back to the pitching circle and collected the ball for the third out of the inning to stop the rally. In the top of the seventh, Alyssa Gutierrez snagged a line drive to give the Belles one out on defense. Cassie Young then collected a fly ball in center field, and Gutierrez made a diving back-hand stop up the line before throwing out the final batter from her knees to end the game.

Jamie Young went 2-for-4 with an RBI while reaching the 200 hit mark for her career. Kelsey Keilman, Makenzie Duncan, and Kelsey Richards each had a hit and scored a run.

Morgan Raymer had a complete-game shutout in the circle after scattering four hits over seven innings, striking out two, and walking one.

The Belles got on the scoreboard right away in game two. Jamie Young led off the game with a triple to right-center field. Two batters later, Makenzie Duncan drove in Young with a sacrifice fly to left field for the quick 1-0 lead. Jessica Alberts shut the door on a scoring chance for the Knights in the bottom of the inning with a pair of strikeouts to put the Belles back up to bat. Saint Mary's added another run in the top of the second inning. Madelynne Keller singled through the left side, and Megan Knudsen hit a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third. With two outs gone, Jamie Young delivered a single up the middle to late Keller from third to double the lead.

The Belles made it a 4-0 game in the top of the third. Cassie Young beat out a bunt single, and Sydney Swartz drew a walk to put two runners on base. Two batters later, Megan Knudsen had her second double in as many at-bats to plate both Young and Swartz. In the bottom half of the inning, Alyssa Gutierrez flashed the leather at the hot corner with a line-drive snag. The Knights hit a two-out double down the left field line, but Gutierrez closed out the inning with a defensive ground out to keep Calvin from gaining any momentum.

Saint Mary's had chances to add to the lead in both the fourth and fifth innings, but both frames came up empty-handed for the Belles.

Calvin broke through offensively in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cassie Young made a warning track catch at the fence on the Knights' first at-bat of the inning. The next batter put Calvin on the scoreboard with a solo home run, and the Knights had a runner on second with two outs a short while later. Makenzie Duncan then collected the third out of the inning after tracking a foul fly ball in right field and making the catch just in front of the fence to end the Knight's at-bats.

The Calvin momentum from the home run, however, was short-lived. Madelynne Keller singled, and Megan Knudsen reached on a fielder's choice to put a pair on with one out. Kelsey Richards then blasted the first pitch she saw of her at-bat well over the left field fence for a three-run home run. Two batters later, Jamie Young legged out her second triple of the game, and Kelsey Keilman hit an infield single to plate Young to make it an 8-1 score.

The Knights plated two runs with two outs gone in the bottom of the seventh, but the Belles closed out the win after Jamie Young made a routine ground out play at shortstop.

Jamie Young led the way with a 4-for-5 effort at the dish with two triples, two runs, and an RBI. Kelsey Richards went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, and Megan Knudsen was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and a run. Madelynne Keller added a 2-for-4 showing in game two with two runs.

Jessica Alberts earned the complete-game win for the Belles. The senior struck out three and walked one in seven innings of work.

The Belles (24-2, 6-0 MIAA) travel to Alma on Wednesday for a league doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m.