ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – With the momentum of 11 wins in their last 14 games, the College of Saint Benedict softball team (17-11 overall, 9-3 MIAC) will face a major road test on Saturday, April 19, as they travel to Winona for a crucial doubleheader against conference leader and nationally ranked No. 11 Saint Mary's University (29-3, 14-0 MIAC). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Bennies Heating Up in Historic 50th Season
Celebrating their 50th season, the Bennies have compiled an impressive program legacy with 835 all-time wins and 518 MIAC victories since their founding in 1975. Under the direction of 13th-year head coach Rachael Click, CSB is once again making noise in the MIAC. The team currently sits in second place in the conference standings.

CSB is coming off a dominant week, sweeping Carleton (15-4, 5-0) on April 16 and St. Catherine (6-0, 12-1) on April 12. Junior infielder Cat Smetana led the charge with five hits and six RBIs against Carleton, while also recording her 100th career hit in the sweep over St. Kate's. Junior pitcher Ellie Peterson posted back-to-back shutouts during the stretch, including a 1-0 win over Macalester on April 14.

The season began with a 2-2 split against UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire in February, including a thrilling walk-off home run by Megan Erickson. CSB also competed in the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic in Georgia and posted notable wins throughout March and April, including sweeps over Augsburg and Grinnell and key wins over Wartburg and Coe.

Scouting the Cardinals
Saint Mary's enters the weekend on a blistering 19-game win streak and atop the MIAC standings at 14-0. Led by 10th-year head coach John Tschida, the Cardinals are one of the nation's top offenses, batting .378 and leading the conference in runs (266), home runs (22), slugging (.534), and stolen bases (101).
Their pitching staff is just as formidable, leading the MIAC with a 2.13 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 206.2 innings, including seven shutouts. Senior Makayla Steffes has been a force both at the plate (.485 avg, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 1.377 OPS) and in the circle (13-2, 1.92 ERA). Fellow pitcher Kenzie Gatz boasts a 12-1 record with a 1.68 ERA.

Series History
Saint Benedict holds a 42-35 all-time advantage in the series, including an 8-2 record in the last 10 matchups. However, the teams split their last meeting on April 20, 2024, with CSB winning game one 6-5 before falling 6-4 in the second. The Bennies are 27-15 at home and 13-17 on the road in the series.

Bennie Standouts and Team Leaders
CSB ranks among the MIAC's best offensively, hitting .316 (3rd), with 16 home runs (3rd), 173 runs (2nd), and 81 extra-base hits (2nd). The Bennies have also stolen 50-of-57 bases and own a .969 fielding percentage.

• Cat Smetana (.412 BA, 27 RBI, 1.049 OPS) leads CSB in RBIs and is a career .380 hitter.
• Olivia Tautges (.409 BA, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 1.150 OPS) is one hit away from 100 career hits and ranks third all-time at CSB in home runs.
• Bryn Ruhberg (.365 BA, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 1.135 OPS) leads the team in home runs and has provided a consistent power presence.
• Lily Treml (.347 BA, .994 OPS) leads the team with 19 walks.
• Olivia Van Hout is hitting .333 and has a team-best 16 stolen bases.

Tautges has 99 hits and with her next hit becomes the third CSB player this year to surpass 100 career hits. She also has 19 career home runs for third all-time at CSB with a .726 slugging mark which ranks second all-time. Her batting average of .393 in 82 career games ranks ninth all-time. Smetana has 106 career hits and a .380 career batting average which is 11^th all-time at CSB.


In the Circle
CSB's pitching staff has a 3.31 ERA (5th MIAC), with 119 strikeouts in 184 innings and four shutouts.

• Olivia Wallace (7-4, 2.16 ERA) has two shutouts and 40 Ks in 64.2 innings.
• Ellie Peterson (7-5, 3.82 ERA) leads the team in innings pitched (88) and has nine complete games.
• Peterson has compiled a 31-13 career record with 221 strikeouts in 293.1 innings.
• Addy Bowne and Anna Corbid provide depth, with Bowne carrying a 2.63 ERA in limited action.

Coach Click and Player Recognition
Head coach Rachael Click recently earned her 300th career win and continues to build on CSB's tradition of success. She led the team to its first MIAC title in nearly three decades last season and four NCAA tournament appearances.
Several players have received accolades this season:

• Megan Erickson, Cat Smetana, Olivia Wallace, and Bryn Ruhberg have all earned MIAC Player or Pitcher of the Week honors.
• Olivia Tautges was named CSB Athlete of the Week on March 30 after hitting .615 in a weekend sweep.

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