MANKATO, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict softball team won two very different games Saturday to start the 2022 season at the Bethany Kwik Trip Invite.
 
In the first game of the day, the Bennies' offense exploded for 19 runs on 19 hits in a 19-1, five-inning win over UW-River Falls thanks to solid pitching and a big day at the plate for first year pitcher Addy Bowne. In the second game of the day, CSB had eight hits, but needed a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh to beat No. 12 Oshkosh 1-0.
 
The second game of the day was a pitcher's duel, and neither gave an inch until the final innings of the game. Junior Elly Novak scattered two hits through the first four innings, and the Titans' pitcher did the same. Both teams had chances in the fifth inning, but a pair of hits in the seventh ended the game in CSB's favor. Mo Burns drew a walk to start the inning, and advanced to second on a single from Gabby Spencer. Burns was called out for leaving base early for the second out of the inning, but it didn't matter as Bryn Carlstrom doubled to left field to send in Spencer and end the game.
 
CSB got runners over to third in the fifth and sixth innings, but failed to score both times. The Titans had runners on first and third with two outs in the sixth, but Novak struck the final batter out to end the threat.
 
Novak picked up right where she left off from her All-American sophomore season Saturday afternoon. She scattered four hits over seven innings and struck out 11 batters to pick up the shutout win. Spencer and Jordyn Swoboda both had a pair of hits to lead the team offensively, and four players had doubles.
 
In the first game of the day, the Bennies scored early an often in a big win over River Falls to start the season. After scoring a single run in the first inning on an RBI single from Carlstrom, CSB opened up for four runs in the second and third innings, three in the fourth and seven in the fifth to end the game early.
 
Katie Carlson had a two-run homer in the second, Bowne hit a three-run homer in the third, Sheridan Glashan had a two-run double in the fourth and Tori Harren hit a two-run homer to highlight the fifth inning. Bowne finished the first game 3-for-3 with four RBIs to go with her win on the mound. She gave up one run and just two hits with one strikeout.
 
Carlstrom went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Spencer was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and Carlson, Harren and Glashan all finished with two RBIs.
 
CSB is back in action bright and early Sunday, Feb. 27, when it takes on UW-La Crosse at 7 a.m. at the Mankato Dome, followed by a 9:15 a.m. game against UW-Eau Claire.