ST. JOSEPH, Minn—This week, the College of Saint Benedict softball team continues the MIAC season with a pair of doubleheaders. On Tuesday, CSB travels to Bethel University for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m. in St. Paul. On Thursday, CSB hosts Saint Mary's University in doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m. at the CSB Softball Field across College Avenue.
 
About the Royals
Bethel is currently 19-5 and 4-4 in the MIAC. The Royals are coming in after a pair of doubleheader losses to St. Olaf by a score of 3-1 and 6-5 on Saturday. Amanda Gemuenden leads the MIAC with a .530 batting average, is third with 31 RBIs, and leads the team with 13 walks. Jamie Axelberg is second in the league with 37 RBIs and leads the team with a .795 slugging percentage and seven homeruns. Allie Fauth is fifth in the MIAC with a .463 batting average and has seven stolen bases. Calli Maki leads the team with an 8-2 record, 3.74 ERA, and 65 strikeouts.
 
About the Cardinals
Saint Mary's is currently 7-19  and 3-9 in the MIAC on the season. The Cardinals are coming in after losing a doubleheader (10-2 and 5-3) at St. Thomas on Sunday. Amber Chow leads the team with a .319 batting average, and has a 4.29 ERA for a 3-9 record from the rubber. Hallie Schmeling leads the Cardinals with 10 RBIs, a .397 slugging percentage, and six stolen bases.
 
Last Meeting
Last season, CSB swept the Cardinals 7-2 and 5-0 in Winona. CSB also swept the Royals 7-0 and 2-0 in St. Joseph during the regular season. Ally Hjort and Cassie Meyer recorded the wins.
 
The Storyline
Midway into the MIAC season, CSB holds a 6-6 record (18-10 overall). CSB will look to move towards last season's conference record of 19-3 and move up from sixth in the MIAC rankings. Following this week's game, the Bennies travel to Carleton on Saturday for a doubleheader and then to Moorhead Easter Monday for a makeup date with Concordia.
 
Who to Watch
Senior Kate Deming leads the team with a .459 batting average, a .706 slugging percentage, 31 runs scored, and has 17 stolen bases (3^rd in MIAC). Fellow senior Claire Boatman has a .340 batting average this season, and Kendra Swanson leads the team with 19 RBIs. First year Mo Burns has a .406 batting average and a .612 slugging percentage. From the rubber, first-year pitcher Grace Gilmore has the second best ERA in the MIAC at 1.64 and Ally Hjort is fifth with a 1.71 ERA. Hjort has a record of 10-1 after throwing a one-hitter Sunday against Augsburg, and Gilmore is 3-5.