‘Belles struggle; lose four of five

The ‘Belles planned to dominate and impress their fans this past weekend by having their first home series honor George McCorkle and capitalize on the fact they were playing at home.


But, so far, the term “homefield advantage” has been a foreign concept for the ‘Belles since they are not winning at home.


The ‘Belles have an 11-5 record on the year, but are a dismal 1-4 at home; losing twice to Colorado State-Pueblo and twice to St. Mary’s University over the weekend.


In the first game, the ‘Belles lost 5-4 against Colorado State-Pueblo that head coach Travis Scott called, “Pretty disappointing,” afterwards.


The ‘Belles never gave up and had a chance to win it in the ninth with runners on second and third with only one out.


Senior outfielder Amanda Wilhelm was up at the plate and the question was would she try a suicide squeeze bunt play that could get the runner from third home, but allowed Colorado State to throw out Wilhelm to make the score 5-5 with two outs.


The answer was no; Wilhelm was given the okay to swing away and she struck out to make it two outs.


“She’s just not a very good bunter,” Scott said. “She is a clutch hitter; ever since she walked on campus, she’s gotten big hits in late innings. I thought that would be our better option at that point.”


After a walk to freshman Lanie Robinson, freshman Darian Dunn grounded to the pitcher’s mound to end the game.


The second game’s score was affected by controversy.


In the first inning, St. Mary’s got a leadoff hit, and then the next batter struck out making it one out with a runner on first base.


The next batter hit a grounder to third baseman Robinson who fielded it and fired a laser to freshman second baseman Ambra Hill for the force out at second.


Hill then flung the ball to senior first baseman April Breshears, who caught the ball for the force play at first.


The umpire called the runner safe while every ‘Belle player, fan and Coach Scott himself thought the runner was out.


“There was a huge call in the first inning on a double play,” Scott said. “We turned a double play to end the inning and he [umpire] calls her safe to end the inning. Then they score three after that and we lost by one.”


After that play, St. Mary’s loaded the bases on two walks and then batted in three runs in an inning that was supposed to be over in a game that the ‘Belles lost 10-9.


The ‘Belles faced University of Texas of the Permian Basin and won 4-2 before facing Colorado State-Pueblo and St. Mary’s again.


In the second game against St. Marys, the ‘Belles not only lost 14-0, but the opposing pitcher threw a no hitter with junior outfielder Luz’Ce Baca being the only base runner after drawing a walk.


The game ended after the fifth inning because of the run rule that calls a game if one team has an eight or more run lead after five innings.


The ‘Belles were run-ruled again in their second game against Colorado State-Pueblo where they lost 10-1.


Right now, the ‘Belles are on a two-game winning streak after traveling to Laredo and beating Texas A&M International University.


The ‘Belles will look to improve their 1-4 record at home on Saturday, March 2 with a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m.