BURNABY, B.C. – The Saint Martin's softball season concluded last Friday with two losses in the GNAC tournament, the first to Northwest Nazarene and the second to Western Washington. By falling short against the Vikings, that officially brought an end to the Saints season as they were not selected for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
After a 12-0 run-rule loss in the opener to the Nighthawks, Saint Martin's battled valiantly in the second game against WWU. After chipping in the opening three runs thanks to a
Destiny Conerly run-scoring single, an
Olivia Schmidt RBI single, and a
Vanessa Smoke sac fly, the Saints found themselves up 3-0.
Then came the exchange of knockout blows from each side, the Saints absorbed a five-run fifth, before
Shay Lopes pushed two across to tie it in the bottom of the inning. WWU again put up five and the Saints answered with a bases loaded walk to push across, but the SMU needed more, and couldn't get it.
The loss brings the SMU season to a close with another winning season under their belt, another trip to the GNAC Championships, and loads of firepower returning for next spring. Their winning percentage this season was the fourth highest in team history and the highest since 2016.