Raiders unable to connect against Warriors’ Gilman, suffer second loss of season

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s overstuffed week isn’t expected to get any easier, not with a couple of rivalry games on tap.

It sure can’t get much more difficult than facing Audrey Gilman.

The Hardin Calhoun junior right-hander mowed down the Raiders, holding them hitless until the fifth inning and striking out 17 in a 3-1 victory Tuesday at The Backyard. Gilman, who already has committed to Creighton, walked six and allowed two hits in handing the Raiders just their second loss of the season.

QND third baseman Brooke Boden broke up the no-hitter with a two-out single in the fifth inning, and QND pitcher Caitlin Bunte spoiled the shutout with a two-out solo home run in the seventh inning.

Calhoun (19-3-1) took the lead in the second when Gracie Klaas led off with a single to right field, and pinch-runner Annie Wilson took second on a passed ball. After a pair of strikeouts, Grace Ballard singled to left field to plate Wilson with the first run of the game.

Haylee Armbruster’s two-out single in the sixth scored pinch-runner Bralyn Lammy to double the lead.

In the top of the seventh, Ballard led off with a single, was sacrificed to second, took third on Anabel Eilerman’s single and scored on Delani Klaas’ groundout.

Bunte suffered the loss, allowing 10 hits and two earned runs while striking out eight and walking one. Bunte and Boden each drew two walks for the Raiders (14-2).