MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Masterful pitching from Ellie Peterson (St. Anthony Village, Minn.) and Olivia Wallace (Maple Grove, Minn.), combined with a 23-run offensive outburst, powered the College of Saint Benedict softball team (19-9, 9-1 MIAC) to a road sweep of Augsburg (7-20, 2-9 MIAC) on Wednesday.

With the 12-0 and 11-1 sweep, the Bennies extended their winning streak to eight games, improving to 19-9 overall and 9-1 in MIAC play (third place). The offense continues to surge, scoring 10 or more runs in four of the last five games and reaching double digits eight times this season.

Lauren Freeberg (Rogers, Minn.) homered for the third time this year and totaled four hits, four runs and four RBI across the doubleheader.

In the circle, the senior duo of Wallace and Peterson combined to allow just one run over 12 innings while striking out 15. Peterson recorded her 49th career win, moving into a tie for second all-time at CSB alongside Elly Novak (2020-23) and Ani Jordan (2001-04). She also notched her 47th career complete game, ranking fourth in program history.

Game 1 – Saint Benedict 12, Augsburg 0 (five innings)
Izzy Radel (Owatonna, Minn.) homered and drove in two runs, while Olivia Tautges (Brainerd, Minn.) added two hits and two RBI to lead the Bennies. Peterson tossed her 13th career shutout, tying for third all-time at CSB with Stacie Klaviter (1992-94).

Peterson (9-5) earned her sixth straight win with a dominant effort, allowing just two hits while striking out six and walking one over 79 pitches.

Saint Benedict broke the game open early with eight runs in the first inning before adding two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure the run-rule victory.

Radel also doubled, while Tautges scored twice and added a double, increasing her season total to 95 bases. Bryn Ruhberg (Lino Lakes, Minn.) doubled and drove in three runs, as did Tuscany Ballot. Cat Smetana (Lake Elmo, Minn.) added a hit, RBI and run scored.

Game 2 – Saint Benedict 11, Augsburg 1
Olivia Wallace (Maple Grove, Minn.) delivered a complete-game performance, and Lauren Freeburg (Rogers, Minn.) homered, collected three hits and drove in four runs to lead Saint Benedict to an 11-1 win.

Wallace improved to 5-2 on the season, allowing eight hits and one run while striking out a season-high nine batters over 126 pitches. The win marked her 21st career victory.
Freeburg led the offense with her third home run of the season. Maddy Orth (Lakeville, Minn.) added a hit, two runs scored and an RBI, while Lily Treml (Shakopee, Minn.) finished with a hit, two runs and an RBI.

The Bennies scored two runs in each of the first two innings to take a 4-0 lead, added three runs in the fourth, and capped the scoring with four in the seventh for an 11-0 advantage before Augsburg scored its lone run in the final frame.