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ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After holding on for a one-run win over Gustavus Thursday in the MIAC Quarterfinals, the College of Saint Benedict softball team is one win away from earning a spot in the MIAC Championship game – and a familiar foe stands in the way.
 
The third-seeded Bennies take on No. 2 St. Olaf at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in Arden Hills in a MIAC Semifinal game. Bethel earned the No. 1 seed and the right to host the semifinals and championship games, and the host Royals take on fourth-seeded St. Kate's at 11 a.m. in the first semifinal of the day.
 
CSB and the Oles faced off just over two weeks ago in Northfield, and the two teams split a pair of high-scoring games. St. Olaf took a 9-0 lead early in the first game, and held off a frantic Bennie comeback to win 11-9. Saint Benedict wasted no time in the second game en route to an 11-1, five-inning win to secure the split. The two teams combined for 20 runs, 20 hits and eight errors in the first game.
 
The second game was all the Bennies as Elly Novak struck out seven and gave up a single earned run. Megan Rasmussen had two home runs, Jordyn Swoboda had a solo homer and Bryn Carlstrom had a grand slam and a two-run double to help CSB end the game early.
 
Novak threw the first six innings Thursday to earn the win, and Tiffany Thompson threw the final inning. Thompson picked up both of the Bennies' wins against Saint Mary's Sunday and has come on strong as solid option for CSB in the circle late in the season. Gabby Spencer is still third in the MIAC with a .485 batting average and she is sixth with 50 hits.
 
In the first semifinal of the day, the Royals and Wildcats square off for the second time this week. The two teams split Tuesday with the Royals winning Game 1 4-2 and St. Kate's taking the second game 10-2 in five innings. CSB split with both teams late in the regular season – Bethel on April 26 and St. Kate's on April 29.
 
Live stats and video are available for all three games Saturday. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $2 for students. Only MIAC passes will be accepted at the gate. The winner of the MIAC Tournament earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament, which runs May 13-15. Regional qualifiers and host sites will be announced during the NCAA selection show at noon Monday, May 9.