The College of Saint Benedict Blazer softball team (14-6 overall, 6-2 MIAC) picked up a pair of conference wins Thursday night against Bethel University.
Saint Benedict picked up their fifth conference in a 4-3 10 inning thriller. Bethel took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second off a home run by left fielder Rachel Gilbert. The Blazers answered back and tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning when sophomore third baseman Kelsey McQuillan (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater) scored on a wild pitch. The game remained scoreless until the tenth inning. Due to the tiebreaker rule, the Royals started the top of the tenth with a runner on second and took the lead off a sacrifice fly that allowed the runner to score. Bethel had a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the 10th inning. Saint Benedict had to score three runs to wins. Sophomore right fielder Nicole Kirkvold (Winona, MN, Winona Cotter) was placed on second to start the inning. First-year left fielder Lonnica Johnson (Stillwater, MN, Hill-Murray) grounded out to second base which allowed Kirkvold to advance to third. McQuillan was next at the plate for the Blazers and reached first on a walk, putting the tying run on base. Sophomore center fielder Lexi Alm (Stacy, MN, Forest Lake) gave the Blazers a 4-3 lead and the win with a three run home run over the center field fence.
Sophomore pitcher Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes) improved to 8-2 on the season, going all 10 innings for the Blazers. She struck out five batters while allowing only two earned runs. Alm went 5-3 at the plate with three RBI's and a run. McQuillan was 4-1 with two runs and a hit. Senior Sierra Dooley (Spring Lake Park, MN, Spring Lake Park) picked up four put outs and three assists for Saint Benedict.
The Blazers earned their 14th win of the season in an 11-4 victory in game two against Bethel. Saint Benedict started the game by taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, picking up runs by Alm, Lonni Johnson, and first-year catcher Mackenzie Wenner (St. Peter, MN, St. Peter). The Royals narrowed CSB's lead to one by scoring two runs in the top of the third. Bethel took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth, but was short lived due to a seven run fourth inning for the Blazers. Saint Benedict hit through their line up in the bottom of the fourth, picking up runs from Kirkvold, Lonni Johnson, Alm, first-year infielder Emma Steck (Kansas City, MO, St. Teresa's Academy), sophomore infielder Maddie Lenker (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie), first-year shortstop Emma Zierden (Avon, MN, Albany), and Dooley. The Blazers picked up their final run in the bottom of the fifth inning from a home run by Alm, her seventh of the year.
Sophomore pitcher Trisha Johnson (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm) went 3.2 innings for the Blazers before Nelson came in on relief. Johnson struck out three batters and gave up six hits. Nelson allowed only four hits, while striking out two batters and allowing no runs. Lonni Johnson went 4-1 with 2 runs. Alm was 4-2 with three runs, and a RBI. Wenner went 3-3 at the plate picking up three RBI's and 1 run. Steck was 4-1 with two RBI's and Dooley went 3-2 with a run. Shortstop Emma Zierden was 4-2 with two RBI's, a run, and four assists. Kirkvold went 2-1 with a run and two RBI's.
Saint Benedict returns to action at 3:30 pm on Wednesday April 11th, in Northfield, Minn. when they play conference opponent Carleton College.
