The Blazer softball team received a complete game shutout from first-year pitcher Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata) in Game 1, and a strong pitching performance from sophomore Elle Borba (Ontario, CA, St. Lucy's Priory) in Game 2 to earn their first sweep of the season in MIAC action over St. Olaf Thursday afternoon.  The Blazers (5-5 MIAC, 9-13 overall) scored two runs in the sixth inning of Game 1 to capture a 2-0 victory and used timely hitting in Game 2 that led the way to a 4-2 victory.

In Game 1, CSB broke open a scoreless game in the top of the sixth inning.  Sophomore Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's) led off the inning with a bunt single and the next batter, senior Jillian Rigg (Billings, MT, Central Catholic), doubled to bring in Richardson for the first run of the game.  Rigg scored on a passed ball later in the inning to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead.

The CSB offense was only able to collect four hits in Game 1 but a strong pitching and defensive effort led the Blazers to victory.  Alwin pitched her first career complete game shutout by holding the Oles to five hits and striking out five.  It was Alwin's fifth win of the season on the mound.

In Game 2, the Blazers got on the board early by scoring a run in both the first and second innings.  Richardson led off the game with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rigg.  After a failed squeeze attempt, St. Olaf tried to pick Richardson off of third base.  Richardson broke for home and beat the throw for the first run of the game.  In the second inning, first-year first baseman Lis Wieneke (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore catcher Carissa Hancock (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids).  Sophomore Kristen Herges (Rochester, MN, John Marshall) drove in Wieneke to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead.  However, the Oles responded with two runs in the bottom of the third inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, sophomore Alyssa Kubesh (Buffalo Lake, MN, Buffalo Lake-Hector) drove in pinch runner Kristi Schammel (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) with a single for the game-winning run.  CSB added a key insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when Richardson scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior Genna Strauss (Red Wing, MN, Red Wing).

Borba picked up the win on the mound by going five innings, allowing five hits, and striking out three.  Alwin pitched the final two innings to earn the save.  Wieneke was the only player with multiple hits in either game for CSB.  She finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate with a run scored.

The Blazers will host Gustavus Adolphus College on Saturday, April 18 in a key MIAC doubleheader.  The Gusties are currently on top of the MIAC standings with a 12-0 record.  Game time is 1 p.m.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score