The College of Saint Benedict softball team used a stellar offensive performance Thursday evening at Macalester College to earn their first MIAC doubleheader sweep of the season.  The Blazers (7-7 MIAC, 12-16 overall) collected an impressive 18 hits in the opener to take the game 8-1 and held off a late rally by the Scots to secure game two 6-5.

CSB got on the board early in game one after an RBI single by junior Alyssa Kubesh (Buffalo Lake, MN, Buffalo Lake-Hector) that scored senior Shannon Eveland (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) in the top of the first inning.  Macalester answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game 1-1.  The Blazers took control of the game after collecting five hits and scoring three runs in the top of the third inning.  Junior catcher Carissa Hancock (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids) led off the fourth inning with her first home run of the season to push the CSB lead to 5-1.  A triple off the bat of sophomore Sierra Dooley (Spring Lake Park, MN, Spring Lake Park) helped the Blazers add two more runs in the sixth inning.

Leading the way for the Blazers was Dooley with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate including a triple and two RBIs.  Eveland was 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, and junior Kristen Herges (Rochester, MN, John Marshall) went 3-for-5 with two runs scored.  Sophomore pitcher Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata) notched her seventh win of the season by going five innings, scattering five hits, allowing only one run, and striking out two batters.

In the nightcap, the Blazers jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead after the top half of the first inning. The inning was highlighted by run scoring singles from senior Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) and junior Elle Borba (Ontario, CA, St. Lucy's Priory).  Macalester nearly matched the CSB first inning with three runs of their own.  The Blazers extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning by scoring an unearned run off of two Macalester errors.  CSB added another insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when Herges tripled to right field to give the Blazers a 6-3 lead.  Alwin came in relief in the bottom of the seventh inning after a Macalester home run and was able to strand the tying run at third base.  The save was Alwin's second of the season.

Kubesh and Eveland both when 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the CSB offense, and Hanson went 1-for-2 with two RBIs.  Junior Laura Althoff earned the win on the mound by pitching three innings in relief of Borba.  Althoff scattered three hits and gave up one earned run to earn her second win of the season.

The Blazers are back in action Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. when they host Bethel University in a MIAC doubleheader.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score