ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Senior
Megan Erickson delivered a two-run walk-off home run to help the College of Saint Benedict softball team (2-2) split a doubleheader with Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1-1) on Sunday (Feb. 23) at the Husky Dome. The Bennies won, 7-6, in the first game thanks to Erickson's clutch hit, but fell, 6-3, in eight innings in the second game.
After splitting for the second consecutive day, St. Ben's is now 2-2 heading into the NFCA Leadoff Classic from Feb. 28 to March 2. The Bennies will face Spalding University (Ky.) and Linfield University on February 28.
Saint Benedict 7, Wisconsin-Eau Claire 6 (Game 1)
Erickson's walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Bennies a dramatic 7-6 victory. After trailing 3-1 following the first inning, CSB scored four runs in the second to take a 5-3 lead. UW-Eau Claire responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to go ahead, 6-5. Then, Erickson, who finished with two hits and four RBI, came through with the game-winning shot.
Cat Smetana had three hits, two runs, and an RBI, while
Olivia Tautges added a hit, two runs, and an RBI. CSB totaled 10 hits and struck out just twice in 30 at-bats.
Junior
Ellie Peterson earned her second win of the season, throwing her second complete game in as many outings, with three strikeouts in the victory.
Wisconsin-Eau Claire 6, Saint Benedict 3 (Game 2)
UW-Eau Claire rallied for four runs in the eighth inning to defeat CSB, 6-3, in extra innings. The Bennies led, 2-0, after the third inning, holding the advantage until the seventh when UW-EC tied the game.
First-year
Anna Corbid pitcher tossed six shutout innings before allowing two runs in the seventh and three in the eighth frame. She struck out four and walked two.
Olivia Wallace came in to finish the game, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
CSB's offense was led by Tautges, who had a run-scoring triple and a run scored. Smetana, Erickson, and
Bryn Ruhberg each contributed with a hit, while Smetana and Erickson also had an RBI.
Season Summary
Through four games, Smetana is leading the Bennies with a .533 batting average, recording eight hits in 15 at-bats. She has a 1.163 OPS with a slugging .600 mark and .563 on-base percentage. Erickson is hitting .467 with seven RBI, including her walk-off home run today, and a .800 slugging percentage for a 1.300 OPS.
Cadence Koste is batting .364, and
Sammy Muetzel is hitting .333. In the circle,
Ellie Peterson is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA and two complete games.