The College of Saint Benedict Blazer softball team (18-12 overall, 10-8 MIAC) dropped a pair of games Monday afternoon to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Joseph, Minn.

Saint Benedict started the series with a close 3-1 loss to the top seeded Gusties. The Blazers lone run came in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Sarah Walch (Red Wing, MN, Red Wing) scored on an error by the Gustavus shortstop. Sophomore Nicole Kirkvold (Winona, MN, Winona Cotter) picked up the RBI.

Going all seven innings on the mound for the Blazers was sophomore pitcher Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes). Nelson struck out two batters and gave up just nine hits.

The Blazers dropped game two to Gustavus 5-0, picking up their 12th loss of the season. Saint Benedict was outhit 8-7 in the loss. Sophomore pitcher Trisha Johnson (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm) struck out five batters and gave up eight hits. Sophomore Kelsey McQuillan (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater) went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double. Walch was 2-for-3.

Saint Benedict returns to action at 1 pm on Saturday, April 18th, when they travel to St. Paul, Minn. to play conference rival University of St. Thomas.