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St. Joseph, Minn. – After starting their season with a 13-2 record, the Saint Benedict softball team heads to St. Paul, Minn. to face off against Macalester for their first MIAC matchup of the season. The doubleheader starts 1 p.m., Mar. 29.
 
As the Blazers get ready for their first conference matchup, they can look to their nine game winning streak as well as their superb pitching rotation to give them confidence as they move into the heart of their season, which includes 14 consecutive conference games.
 

MIAC LEADERS

With a record of 7-0 and an ERA of 0.57, sophomore Emily Engelmeier (South St. Paul, Minn.) attributes much of her immense success to the team's great defense. "Our team defense has contributed so much to this! It is easy to pitch the ball when you know your teammates are working hard for you every play," she explained. "A big advantage that we have this year is that we did not graduate anyone from last year so we have a similar team with the addition of some great first-years."
 
Engelmeier looks forward to starting their conference matchups and heads into the game with confidence. "I am very excited to start conference play this weekend.  We have been working hard every day at practice and we look forward to bringing this hard work with us on the field and hopefully getting a couple of more wins!" 
 
Senior Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, Minn.) has also jumped out to a great season on the mound with 48 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.45. Nelson is also optimistic as she leads her team into their first conference game of the season. "I look to improve our record and sweep the series. As long as Emily and I are strong on the mound, with our catchers making good calls and our teammates behind us, we have a great shot at winning these games," she said.
 
"I think what helps me is not concentrating on my statistics or whether or not I walked or struck somebody out. My goal this year is to pitch for my team and our success together and not necessarily my own ERA and whatnot," said Nelson.
 
"My team has also helped me with my success. They have so much confidence in me and are so happy for me when I have success. My catchers are solid behind the plate, and they know me so well that when I get inside my head or am having a rough day on the mound they know how to break me out of it," she continued.
 
As these two stellar pitchers head into their two-game series against Macalester with confidence, they also look ahead to a road doubleheader against Gustavus to close out the first weekend of MIAC play.