Saint Mary's falls to Bethel twice
By MOLLY McVOY
Senior Staff Writer
Strong pitching was not enough to pull the Belles ahead of Division II Bethel College on Thursday as it dropped both games, 3-1 and 3-1.
"Just a hit here or there would have made the difference," said head coach John Kovach.
Junior Kristin Martin pitched the first game and gave up three runs, all of them unearned. She recorded eight strike-outs in the game and went 2-3 at the plate.
"By and large, even giving up those three runs, you would hope offensively that you can make up for that," Kovach said.
The Belles recorded three hits in the first game, including a double in the top of the seventh inning by pinch-hitting Rachel Deer that drove in the Belles' only run. Deer was then thrown out at home while trying to score to end the game.
Senior Anne Senger pitched the second game for the Belles giving up three runs in her seven innings of work. Bethel scored one run in the second and two runs in the third. The Belles scored their one run in the fifth inning, but had many more opportunities than in the first game. They had seven hits in the game and loaded the bases in the fourth with one out. That opportunity ended on a force out at home and a pop fly.
"They just picked and picked to get the runs," Kovach said.
"We just need to hit more consistently and we need to have a stronger mental game," Senger said.
Aside from the errors in the first game, Kovach has been pleased with the pitching and fielding of Saint Mary's so far.
"By and large, I've been please with our fielding and pitching," Kovach said. "With two of three working, I think the third [hitting] will fall into place."
Inconsistent hitting had been a focus for the Belles since the beginning of the season. This week the players have been focusing on hitting drills for their upcoming home-opener. The slower-throwing pitchers have been giving the Belles the hardest time according to Kovach. Adjusting to the speed of pitchers and understanding what kind of pitchers they will face should help Saint Mary's hitting.
"All it will take is a little bloop here or there and ten it will be contagious," Kovach said. "That too will take pressure off our pitchers."
All Sports Stories for Monday, March 26, 2001
