ST. JOSEPH, Minn—This weekend, the College of Saint Benedict softball team continues the MIAC season with a pair of doubleheaders. On Saturday, CSB hosts Gustavus Adolphus with the doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at the CSB Softball Field across College Avenue. On Sunday, CSB travels to Hamline University with the doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. in St. Paul.
 
About the Gusties
Gustavus – which won 12 games in 2018 – is currently 11-9  and 2-4 in the MIAC on the season. The Gusties are coming in after losing a doubleheader (1-0 and 5-3) at St. Olaf on Wednesday. Aly Freeman and Kenzie Skuza are tied for second in the MIAC with three home runs each. Freeman leads the Gusties with a .656 slugging percentage and has a record of 5-4 from the rubber. Ashley Neuenfeldt leads the team with a .412 batting average, 18 RBIs, and has a 2.40 ERA in nine pitching appearances.
 
About the Pipers
Hamline is currently 8-11 and 1-2 in the MIAC. The Pipers are coming in after a 10-inning loss to St. Catherine by a score of 5-4 on Wednesday. Megan Rubbelke leads the Pipers with a .362 batting average. Leading the team in RBIs is Kira Krueger with 14. Pitcher Alex Molloy leads the team with a 1.86 ERA and a record of 6-5.
 
Last Meeting
Last season, CSB swept the Gusties 5-0 and 8-2 in St. Peter. CSB outhit the Gusties 22-7 on the day. CSB also swept the Pipers 2-1 and 5-2 in St. Joeseph during the regular season. Ally Hjort recorded the win in both games.
 
The Storyline
Heading into the second week of the MIAC season, CSB holds a 3-2 record (15-6 overall). CSB will look to build on last season's conference record of 19-3 against two sub-.500 MIAC opponents. Following this weekend's game, the Bennies host St. Catherine Tuesday for Game 2 of the doubleheader that was started last week and then travel to Concordia on Thursday for a doubleheader.
 
Who to Watch
First year Mo Burns was named this week's CSB Athlete of the Week after five hits and seven RBIs on Sunday. Senior Kate Deming leads the team with a .446 batting average, a .689 slugging percentage, 24 runs scored, and is third in the MIAC with 14 stolen bases. Fellow senior Claire Boatman has a .358 batting average this season, and Kendra Swanson leads the team with 15 RBIs. From the rubber, first-year pitcher Grace Gilmore has the fifth-best ERA in the MIAC with a 1.68 and fellow first year Lauren York is third with a 1.60 ERA.