The College of Saint Benedict softball team used a pair of key defensive plays in the bottom of the seventh inning to hold off Carleton College Thursday evening in Northfield, Minn.  The Blazers (5-7 MIAC, 10-16 overall) took the nightcap 3-2 after being shutout in the opener 2-0.

In game one, the Blazers managed to tally seven hits and outhit the Knights but were unable to come up with timely hits.  Junior outfielder Kristen Herges (Rochester, MN, John Marshall) and sophomore third baseman Sierra Dooley (Spring Lake Park, MN, Spring Lake Park) led the way for CSB in the opener with two hits apiece.  Sophomore Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata) took the loss on the mound for CSB.  Alwin scattered five hits and gave up two runs in the bottom of the third inning.

In game two, Carleton jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first inning.  CSB answered quickly with a three-run second inning.  Senior Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) got things started with a one-out single up the middle.  First-year player Traci Thielen (Cold Spring, MN, Rocori) and junior centerfielder Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's) both singled to keep the inning alive.  Herges knocked in the go ahead run with a two-run single to give the Blazers a 3-2 advantage.  Junior pitcher Laura Althoff (Jordan, MN, Jordan) kept the Knights in check for the remainder of the game and got some help from her defense.  In the bottom of the seventh inning, Hanson handled a squeeze bunt to record the second out of the inning, and junior catcher Carissa Hancock (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids) picked off a runner to end the game.

Leading the offense for CSB in the nightcap was senior shortstop Shannon Eveland (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) and Hancock with two hits apiece.  Althoff went the distance to earn her first win of the season.  She only allowed six hits and one earned run and threw six straight scoreless innings to end the game.

The Blazers travel to Macalester College on Thursday, April 22 for a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score