OSHKOSH, Wis. – Tori Benson hit two home runs and Olivia Tautges added another, but the College of Saint Benedict softball team (26-19) dropped an 8-3 decision to No. 12 UW-Oshkosh (42-4) in the NCAA DIII Tournament Regional Championship on Saturday (May 18).

While CSB's season draws to a close, it was a year of significant success which included a MIAC regular season title (17-5) for the first time since 1994. The Bennies advanced to the NCAA DIII Regional for the sixth time and finished 2-2 in the regional for a third straight time. In addition, Saint Benedict, which was seeded fourth, advanced to the regional championship for a fourth time in program. For the 13th time in program history, CSB recorded 25 wins or more including in each of the past three seasons.

Benson, Tautges, Peterson named All-Tourney
The Bennies had three players earn region all-tournament honors including senior Tori Benson, sophomore Olivia Tautges and sophomore Ellie Peterson. During the four games at the regional, Benson closed her career by hitting .444 with four hits and four runs with two home runs, three RBI and a 1.111 slugging mark as well as an .583 on-base percentage. Tautges hit .333 with four hits, a double, home run, three RBI, .667 slugging and .385 on-base mark. Peterson had a 2-1 record with a 3.59 earned run average in four appearances, finishing with a 2-1 record. She had 10 strikeouts in 13.2 innings.

Aside from CSB's all-tourney honorees, junior Maddy Kubik had a .417 batting average with five hits and three runs with a .417 OBP and .500 slugging. Addy Bowne had four hits in seven at bats for a .571 batting average as she slugged .714 with a .571 on-base percentage. Overall, CSB hit .264 as a team with 17 runs, 28 hits, including nine for extra bases. CSB was 3-of-4 on stolen bases.

By the numbers - CSB breaks team and individual records
The Bennies had one of the best offensive seasons in school history with a school-record 32 home runs. In addition, CSB's 237 RBI, and 396 hits was second for a season with 261 runs scored ranking third. CSB had a .462 slugging for seventh all-time and its .315 average was ninth in school history. Individually, first-team NFCA All-Region outfielder Olivia Tautges set school season records with 15 home runs, 47 RBI and 107 total bases with her .823 slugging mark ranks second all-time. Senior Tori Benson, who was third team NFCA All-Region, finished with 23 career home runs for third all-time and her 98 RBI for a career is tied with Jordyn Swoboda (2019-23) for fifth all-time at CSB. With 87 RBI, senior Bryn Carlstrom ranks tied for seventh all-time with Kate Deming (2016-19). In the circle, Ellie Peterson's 23 starts, and 29 appearances ranks second all-time and her 137.1 innings is the most in school history. Also, Peterson's 15 wins ranks tied for fifth all-time with Ally Hjort (2019), and Megan Erickson (1999, 2000).

Game Summary - CSB falls to No. 12 UW-Oshkosh
In the 8-3 loss to UW-Oshkosh, which advances to the DIII Super Region on May 23-24, CSB had a 2-1 lead in the second inning and were within, 4-3, in the fourth inning before the Titans had a three-run fifth and added a run in the sixth inning to build an 8-3 lead.

Tautges, who finished the season with a .400 batting average to lead CSB, had two hits in three at bats, including the program-best 15^th home run. In her final game at CSB, Benson had two hits – both home runs to help CSB stay close. In total, CSB had six hits as Bowne and Kubik also provided base hits.

In the circle, Bowne (6-3) took the loss after working four innings and allowing seven hits and seven runs with a strikeout. Starter Olivia Wallace worked 1 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run and two hits. Peterson finished for CSB and had a strikeout in working 2/3 of an inning.

After UW-Oshkosh opened the scoring when Abby Garceau drew a bases loaded walk in the first inning, CSB had the answer in the second inning as Benson homered to tie the game. In the third inning Tautges homered for a 2-1 lead. Brianna Davis of the Titans had a two-run double in the bottom of the third frame for a 3-2 lead. Down 4-2, Benson slugged her second home run of the game, and in consecutive at bats, to pull CSB within, 4-3. However, UW-Oshkosh responded with three runs in the fifth inning and Morgan Rau's homer in the sixth inning provided an 8-3 advantage.