Despite solid pitching and outstanding defense, the College of Saint Benedict softball team found themselves trailing in both games of an MIAC doubleheader against St. Mary's University in Winona, MN.  After coming up short in the opener 3-2, the Blazers came through in the nightcap with a three-run seventh inning to top the Cardinal 3-2 to earn a split to open up the conference season.

In the opener, SMU put three runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning off CSB starting pitcher junior Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata).  Alwin held the Cardinals scoreless for the rest of the game, but the Blazers were unable to overcome SMU's big first inning.  CSB got on the board in the fifth inning when senior third baseman Kristen Herges (Rochester, MN, John Marshall) knocked in pinch runner first-year Lexi Alm (Stacy, MN, Forest Lake) with a single through the left side of the infield.  The Blazers opened up the top half of the seventh inning with two consecutive hits, a single from senior Carissa Hancock (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids) and a double from first-year Stacy Svihel (Cold Spring, MN, Rocori).  SMU retired the next two batters before the Blazers cut the lead to 3-2 by scoring on a wild pitch.  The rally ended on a fly out and SMU took the opener 3-2.

The Blazers tallied seven hits in the game with two apiece coming from Hancock and Svihel.  Alwin took the loss on the mound by going six innings, allowing six hits, and giving up three earned runs.

In game two, the Cardinals looked in control with a 1-0 lead heading into the seventh inning.  CSB took advantage of a dropped foul pop up to collect three hits and score three runs in the inning.  Senior Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's) tied the game with a two-out RBI single.  After an intentional walk, Svihel doubled to right center to score Richardson.  The Blazers scored the final run of the game on a passed ball on a dropped third strike.  SMU collected three hits in the final inning to cut the CSB lead to 3-2, but first-year pitcher Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes) escaped by getting the final two batters to pop up and ground out.

Nelson earned her third win of the season by pitching a complete game, scattering ten hits, giving up two earned runs, and striking out two SMU batters.  Richardson and Herges paced the CSB offense by each going 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored.

The Blazers (1-1 MIAC, 5-11 overall) host Concordia College on Tuesday, April 5 for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score