Clermont, Fla. – The Saint Benedict softball team split for the second straight day on Sunday (Mar. 2), opening with a 6-3 win over Aurora (Ill.) before closing the day with a close 3-2 loss in eight innings to John Carroll (Ohio).
 
In the opening game, the Blazers did all their damage in the second and fourth innings, scoring three runs in each frame on their way to the win.
 
Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, Minn.) went the distance in the circle, allowing just five total hits while striking out five. After a rough first inning where Aurora jumped out to a 3-0 lead, Nelson settled down to allow just two hits over her final six innings of work.
 
Lexi Alm (Stacy, Minn.) led at the plate with a 3-for-3 day with one run batted in, while Stacy Svihel (Cold Spring, Minn.) drove in two on the day. Stephanie Besst (Coon Rapids, Minn.) scored twice on the day.
 
In the second game the Blazers worked out of a first inning jam and then answered back with the first run of the game.
 
Starting pitcher Emily Engelmeier (South St. Paul, Minn.) faced six batters in the inning, but got the third out with a strikeout to leave the bases loaded and close the top of the first scoreless. Engelmeier would pitch six innings in the game, striking out three while allowing just four hits.
 
In the bottom of the first, the Blazers went ahead 1-0, and were able to hold the lead until the seventh when John Carroll tied the game to force the extra inning.
 
In the top of the eighth, John Carroll took advantage of a pair of CSB miscues to score twice, and then held the Blazers to just one in the bottom of the inning for the comeback win.
 
Kim Lidstone (Minnetonka, Minn.) led the way with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, also stealing a base and scoring once. Svihel came across for the Blazers other run in the game.
 
On the day, the Blazers went 1-1, coming from behind for a win and falling in extra innings to two teams that closed their seasons in the NCAA tournament last spring.
 
"The Blazers played two good games today," head coach Rachael Click said. "The thing I was most proud of was our energy in both games."
 
CSB will take Monday off, before returning to action on Tuesday with a rematch with John Carroll, as well as a game against Immaculata (Pa.).