ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict softball team took advantage of one big innings to snag a Game 1 win in a shortened doubleheader against St. Scholastica Sunday afternoon.
 
The Bennies scored four runs in the fifth for a 7-1 win over the Saints in the first MIAC meeting between the two teams. The game – which was originally scheduled to be played in Duluth but was moved to St. Joseph due to field conditions and cold temps in Northern Minnesota – was halted after Game 1 due to heavy snow and sleet in the area. Game 2 will be played at a date yet to be determined.
 
CSB (13-2) took an early lead on the Saints (9-8) thanks to two first-inning runs. Gabby Spencer walked, stole second and then third, then came around to score on a pop fly to second from Bryn Carlstrom. Later in the inning, Megan Erickson struck out but reached first on a dropped third strike, then came around to score on a single from Addy Bowne.
 
The Saints got one run back with a solo homer in the top of the fourth, but the Bennies added insurance runs in the fifth thanks to four hits. Spencer reached on a fielder's choice and eventually came around to score on a passed ball, Carlstrom singled and scored on an RBI sac fly to center by Katie Carlson and Lexi Braaten and Lizzy Walker both scored on a two-run double from Sheridan Glashan. CSB added one more run in the sixth on an RBI double from Spencer.
 
Carlstrom, Bowne and Jordyn Swoboda all had two hits for the Bennies, who had nine total hits, and Glashan had two RBIs. Elly Novak picked up win No. 8 on the season after giving up a single earned run and six hits in seven innings of work. She struck out eight batters.
 
The Bennies have a busy week scheduled with home games Thursday and Sunday against Carleton and Gustavus, and a road game Saturday at Augsburg. Stay tuned to gobennies.com for schedule updates.