BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Trailing by one in the seventh, clutch hits from Malia Pinder and Kylee Vanderbout sent the Saints to a thrilling 3-2 victory before falling 6-1 in the backend of the doubleheader.
 
In the opening game, Tia Ridings and Sydney Brown of Western Washington went toe-to-toe thru the first five innings. The two pitchers shutout the offenses and sent the game to the sixth with the score tied at 0-0.
 
Saint Martin's got on the board first, when Britney Patrick reached on a fielding error, scoring Jaeden Ells. Western Washington rallied back with two runs in the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game.
 
Needing a run to stay alive, or two to take the lead in the seventh, the Saints got their first runner on with an error. A sac bunt and a single put runners on the corners with one out. A fielder's choice cut the tying run down at the plate while putting runners on first and second with two outs.
 
Down to their final out, Pinder drove in the tying run with a single to right, scoring Destiny Conerly. Vanderbout followed up with a single up the middle, scoring Megan Convery to put the Saints on top 3-2.
 
Chloe Leverington, who came in the game in the sixth, closed the door in the seventh to seal the victory for the Saints.
 
Unfortunately for the Saints, the offense was unable to find their flow in the second game, falling 6-1.
 
The Saints remained tied with Northwest Nazarene for the lead in the GNAC standings with just two games left in the regular season. The Saints and Vikings are scheduled to play tomorrow but rain in the forecast could alter the schedule to a Sunday afternoon finale. Updates will be posted to smusaints.com.