The College of Saint Benedict softball team found themselves in a number of close games at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida.  Unfortunately, the Blazers were on the losing end of a pair of one-run games Saturday afternoon.  Simpson College rallied to defeat CSB 2-1 in the opener, and Anderson University shutout the Blazers for a 1-0 victory in the nightcap.

Against Simpson, the Blazers got on the board first with a pair of basehits in the top of the fourth inning.  First-year Stacy Svihel (Cold Spring, MN, Rocori) knocked in pinch runner Ashley Hager (Hayward, WI, Hayward) who was running for junior Lis Wieneke (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm), to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead.  Simpson rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning for two runs off CSB pitcher Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata).  Alwin struck out a season high six batters.  Wieneke paced the CSB offense with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate.

First-year pitcher Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes) took the loss against Anderson despite an outstanding pitching performance.  The Blazer offense could not support Nelson's effort on the mound as they only collected three hits in the game.

CSB finished their Florida trip with a 4-8 record.  The Blazers are back in action on Wednesday, March 23 against Division II St. Cloud State University.  Game time is set for 6 p.m. in St. Cloud.