WINONA, Minn. -- In a showdown between two of the MIAC's top teams, No. 17-ranked Saint Mary's (31-3, 16-0 MIAC) edged out Saint Benedict (17-13, 9-5 MIAC) in a pair of tightly contested games, winning 1-0 and 4-3 to remain undefeated in conference play on Saturday, April 19.
The doubleheader featured the top two teams in the conference standings, both of whom tied for the MIAC regular season title in 2024 and reached the NCAA DIII regional. With the sweep, Saint Mary's solidified its hold on first place at 16-0 (31-3 overall), while CSB now sits in a tie for second with Macalester at 9-5 (17-13 overall).
Game 1: Saint Mary's 1, Saint Benedict 0
In a classic pitcher's duel, CSB's
Ellie Peterson (7-6) delivered another stellar performance, going the distance and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out three. Despite the strong outing, she took the loss as SMU's Makayla Steffes (14-2) also held CSB to four hits with six strikeouts.
The game's only run came in the first inning on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. Peterson took the setback but had another outstanding effort by allowing just one run on four hits and striking out three batters. She recorded her 10
th complete game this season and her 30
th of her career.
On offense, junior shortstop
Olivia Tautges singled in the sixth inning for her 100
th career hit.
Tuscany Ballot,
Megan Erickson and
Izzy Radel also had hits for CSB. Tautges had three hits in the doubleheader and now leads CSB in hitting with a .410 average, 1.129 OPS and .670 slugging mark.
Game 2: Saint Mary's 4, Saint Benedict 3
CSB jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but Saint Mary's rallied late, scoring three runs in the sixth and seventh innings to complete the sweep of the MIAC doubleheader.
Leading CSB was Tautges, who was 2-for-4 with a run, while
Cat Smetana and first-year
Izzy Guttenfelder also had two-hit games.
Megan Erickson added a double and run scored, and
Addy Bowne drove in two runs.
Olivia Wallace started for CSB, pitching 5 1/3 innings and giving up three earned runs on six hits. Peterson (7-7) took the loss in relief, allowing one unearned run in 1 2/3 innings. In her last eight appearances, including six starts, Peterson has five complete games, two shutouts, and a 0.87 earned run average with a 3-3 record. She has also recorded 29 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.
Up Next:
Saint Benedict returns to action Tuesday, April 22, for a road doubleheader at Hamline University in St. Paul. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
