The College of Saint Benedict softball team earned their second consecutive split to start the MIAC season Thursday against Augsburg College.  The Blazers took advantage of four Auggie errors in the opener to take the game 4-2 but could not hold onto an early lead in the nightcap and fell 5-2.

In the opener, both the Blazers and the Auggies posted a run in the first inning.  FIrst-year Stacy Svihel (Cold Spring, MN, Rocori) drove in senior Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's) with an RBI single right field.  With the score tied 1-1, CSB added three runs in the top of the sixth inning.  The Blazers loaded the bases with two walks and an Augsburg error before RBIs from senior Carissa Hancock (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids), junior Lis Wieneke (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm), and senior Kristen Herges (Rochester, MN, John Marshall).  The Auggies threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning by scoring a run but the Blazers escaped with a 4-2 victory.

CSB received an outstanding pitching performance from first-year Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes).  Nelson went seven innings, scattered five hits, allowed two earned runs, and struckout three to earn her fourth win of the season.  Richardson paced the CSB offense with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate with a run scored.

In the nightcap, the Blazers put together a pair of two-out hits to take an early lead.  Svihel singled to center field before senior Devin Bowlin (Winona, MN, Winona Cotter) blasted a two-run homerun over the left field fence to put the Blazers up 2-0.  However, Augsburg held the Blazers scoreless for the rest of the game and used a four-run fourth inning to give the Blazers another MIAC split.

The Blazers outhit the Auggies eight to six.  Bowlin led the CSB offense with a 2-for-4 outing at the plate with a run scored and two RBIs. No other Blazer recorded multiple hits.  First-year pitcher Trisha Johnson (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm) pitched 3.2 solid innings of relief to keep the Blazers in the game.  Johnson walked three but did not give up a hit or a run.

CSB will play its home opener on Saturday, April 9 against St. Catherine University.  The MIAC doubleheader is scheduled for 1 pm.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score