The College of Saint Benedict (2-4 MIAC, 7-13 overall) softball team was unable to battle back after facing early deficits in both contests Sunday afternoon against St. Olaf College.  The Oles benefited from two four-run innings as they swept the Blazers 5-2 and 7-3.

In the first game of the doubleheader, the Oles used four hits and took advantage of one Blazer error to jump out to a 4-0 lead after the top half of the first inning.  CSB got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior outfielder Alyssa Kubesh (Buffalo Lake, MN, Buffalo Lake-Hector) doubled to right field to score senior shortstop Shannon Eveland (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) and junior outfielder Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's).  The Oles added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning to make it 5-2.

Juniors Devin Bowlin (Winona, MN, Winona Cotter) and Kristen Herges (Rochester, MN, John Marshall) both went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double.  Sophomore pitcher Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata) suffered the loss on the mound.  Alwin went all seven innings, allowed two earned runs, and struck out five.

In the nightcap, the Oles took a 4-0 lead after the top half of the third inning and added another run in the fourth inning.  The Blazers got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) hit a two-run home run.  The Oles and Blazers traded runs in the fifth inning, but it wasn't enough as CSB fell to 2-4 in MIAC action.

CSB tallied eight hits in the second game of the day.  Eveland and Kubesh led the way with two hits apiece.

The Blazers will be back in action Thursday, April 15 when they travel to St. Catherine University in St. Paul for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.