ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Despite a combined seven hits from first-year players
Kallie Finkbeiner and
Cat Smetana, the No. 13 College of Saint Benedict (14-4, 5-3 MIAC) dropped a pair of games to No. 11 Bethel (17-3, 6-0 MIAC) in MIAC action at the CSB Softball Field. The Bennies dropped a 13-1 decision in game one and lost a heartbreaker in game two, 2-1.
With the setbacks, CSB drops to 5-3 in league play and tied for fourth place. Bethel remains in first place at 6-0. The Bennies were scheduled to play at Concordia-Moorhead on Sunday but due to the inclement weather coming this weekend, the games will be postponed and rescheduled for 3:30/5:30 p.m., on Friday, April 28. Next for CSB will be a MIAC doubleheader at Carleton College on Tuesday, April 18 at 3:30/5:30 p.m.
Leading the Bennies against Bethel was Smetana, who had four hits in six at bats with two doubles, a home run and two RBI. Finkbeiner had three hits in six at bats with a double.
Jordyn Swoboda also had two hits. In the circle, CSB was led by
Elly Novak (7-3), who lost a 2-1 decision in game two.
For the day, CSB hit .235 with two runs on 12 hits, which included five doubles and a home run.
Game 1 – Bethel 13 Saint Benedict 1 (6 innings)
In the opener, pitcher Kayla Simacek of Bethel allowed four hits and a run in six innings to lead the Royals to the win.
After CSB scored a run in the second inning on a double by Finkbeiner and a single to centerfield by Smetana for a 1-0 lead, the Royals took control. CSB starter
Ellie Peterson (7-1) shut down the Royals for four innings. Then, Bethel broke through with seven runs in the fifth inning and added six more in the sixth inning to earn the run-rule shortened victory.
Peterson allowed six hits and had four strikeouts and two walks in suffering her first loss of the season.
Olivia Wallace (2/3 innings, four hits) and
Addy Bowne (1/3 inning) also worked for CSB.
Game 2 – Bethel 2 Saint Benedict 1 (7 innings)
Despite seven strikeouts, senior
Elly Novak (7-3) lost a pitcher's duel in game two as the Bennies fell, 2-1.
A two-time all-region performer, Novak allowed eight hits and just two runs with seven strikeouts in throwing a complete game. Simacek (16-3) allowed eight hits and one run with four strikeouts as she won both ends of the doubleheader.
Smetana led the Bennies with a career-best three hits, including her second home run of the season. Finkbeiner had two hits in three at bats in game two.
After Bethel scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning, Smetana's home run cut the lead in half. However, CSB was unable to get across the tying run.
By the Numbers – 2023
Through 18 games, CSB is hitting .308 as a team with 11 home runs, 26 doubles and three triples. The Bennies have a .440 slugging mark and .377 OBP with 30 steals in 39 attempts.
Kallie Finkbeiner leads CSB in hitting at .500 with 12 hits in 24 at bats. She has a .750 slugging and .571 OBP. All-American outfielder
Gabby Spencer is hitting .491 with 26 hits and 18 runs along with 18 RBI. She has a .774 slugging and .609 OBP with 11 steals.
Cat Smetana is hitting .355 with 11 hits in 31 at bats plus two home runs.
Jordyn Swoboda is batting .328 with 12 RBI and a .448 slugging mark.
In the circle, CSB has a 2.62 earned run average with 118 strikeouts against 30 walks in 120- innings. Teams are hitting just .218 against the CSB pitching staff.
Elly Novak leads the way with a 7-3 record and 1.99 earned run average. She has six complete games, four shutouts and 68 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings.
Ellie Peterson is 7-1 with a 2.57 earned run average. She has six complete game and 46 strikeouts in 49 innings.
