ST.JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict softball team finally gets to open play on its new turf field this weekend not once, but twice! CSB welcomes Bethel and Carleton for MIAC doubleheaders on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, respectively. Both twin bills begin at 1 p.m.
 
About Bethel
Bethel comes into weekend after splitting a doubleheader against last year's MIAC playoff champs, St. Catherine. The 12-10 Royals have played a steady game this spring, and are the only conference team to deal MIAC leading St. Thomas a loss. Bethel is led by seven players with 12 or more runs on the season, including their top four batters hitting at least .355 and putting up 21 or more hits on the season. Junior Jana Roste has seven home runs to lead her team and the MIAC. Sophomore Hannah Schmidt has carried most of the weight on the mound, pitching 108 of 149 innings for the Royals and striking out 47 batters.

About Carleton
Carleton is looking to rebound after being swept by St. Thomas last weekend, dropping its overall record to 8-10 and its MIAC record to 3-5. Before its matchup with the Tommies, Carleton had won three of its last four, including a sweep of Saint Mary's. Katie Eppard leads the way in the batter's box for the Knights, with a .403 batting average, the fifth-best in the MIAC, 15 runs, and three home runs on the season. On the mound, pitching has been split nearly evenly between Maddie Sherwood and Sam Kile, pitching 37 and 49.2 innings respectively. Kile has struck out 28 batters and walked 26, while Sherwood has struck out 14 and only walked eight.
 
Last Year
CSB split their MIAC doubleheader with Bethel last season, with the Royals winnings game one 10-5 and CSB rebounding for a dominate 10-1 win in game two. Bethel's win was propelled by a seven-run third inning to go up 8-0 over CSB early in the game. CSB returned the quick scoring favor in the opening inning of game two, scoring four quick runs off doubles from Emilie Antony and Claire Boatman. Bethel scored its only run of the second game in the bottom of the first, and CSB added runs in the second, third, and sixth innings en route to the win.
Saint Benedict fared much better against Carleton in their early season doubleheader, winning 5-1 and 8-2. CSB was powered by doubles from Boatman, Antony, and Sara Wennerstrand to jump to a 5-0 lead in the first game before Carleton got on the board in the seventh inning. CSB scored the first three runs of game two in the second inning before putting together a five-run third inning powered by a three-run homer from Boatman en route to the win.
 
Who to Watch
The pitching staff for CSB has been a highlight this season, with the highest era of the bullpen sitting at 3.17. Ally Hjort enters the weekend on a high note, pitching her first collegiate no hitter on April 18 in a 6-0 win over Augsburg. The first year has the best ERA in the MIAC, a staunch 0.80, and has struck out 52 batters in her 53 innings pitched, while only walking 12. CSB has three of the top five ERAs in the MIAC, with Alex Smith sitting in fourth at 2.52 and Jocelyn Metz in fifth with a 2.56 era.
 
The Storyline
Saint Benedict enters the weekend on a bit of a tear, having won six straight games. CSB has won five of its last six games by at least five runs and has outscored its opponents 34-6 in the stretch. The team's success has translated well to the MIAC statistical standings. CSB continues to be led at the plate by senior Megan Toninato, whose .446 batting average is the second-best in the MIAC. She also leads the MIAC in hits with 37, while junior Kate Deming leads the league in runs with 33. Deming and sophomore Olivia Olson sit atop the statistical standings in triples, as each have four this season. Wennerstrand is tied for fourth with three home runs, and junior Emilie Antony sits in third with 25 RBIs.