DULUTH, Minn. – The wins just keep coming for the College of Saint Benedict softball team. Behind dominant pitching and an explosive offensive performance led by sophomore Alyssa Downhour (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), the Bennies (23-9, 13-1 MIAC) swept St. Scholastica (7-22, 1-13 MIAC) in a road MIAC doubleheader Wednesday, extending their winning streak to 12 games.

The sweep sets up a key conference showdown as Saint Benedict hosts No. 3-ranked Saint Mary's (31-3, 16-0 MIAC) at CSB Softball Stadium on Saturday at 1/3 p.m. The Bennies sit second in the MIAC standings at 13-1 and 23-9 overall.

Saint Benedict's offense was relentless, totaling 24 runs on 24 hits across the two games. It marked the program's highest run total in back-to-back wins since scoring 29 in a sweep of Grinnell on March 29, 2025. The Bennies have now recorded six straight doubleheader sweeps during their 12-game winning streak, surpassing the 11-game run in 2023 and marking the program's longest streak dating back to at least prior to 2005.

On the day, CSB hit .462 with an .808 slugging percentage and a .531 on-base percentage, collecting 24 hits in 52 at-bats with nine extra-base hits, including four home runs. The Bennies also stole seven bases and drew seven walks. Downhour powered the lineup, raising her season totals to six home runs and 19 RBI with a 1.170 OPS and .810 slugging percentage. In the circle, the pitching staff combined for a 2.10 ERA with eight strikeouts over 10 innings.

Game 1 – Saint Benedict 12, St. Scholastica 3
Senior Ellie Peterson (St. Anthony Village, Minn.) won her eighth straight decision, while Downhour and sophomore Tuscany Ballot (Saint Anthony Village, Minn.) each homered to lead the Bennies to a 12-3 victory in the opener.

Senior Bryn Ruhberg (Lino Lakes, Minn.) recorded two hits and two RBI, while Ballot added two hits—including her third career home run—and two RBI. Downhour's fourth home run of the season was a three-run shot. Sophomore Lily Treml (Shakopee, Minn.) contributed a hit, two runs scored and two RBI, while senior Olivia Van Hout (Mahtomedia, Minn.) added two hits, two runs scored and two stolen bases.

Saint Benedict jumped out early, scoring five runs in the first inning, four in the second and two more in the third before adding one in the fourth to secure the run-rule win.

Peterson improved to 11-5 on the season, allowing two runs on seven hits over four innings with five strikeouts. The victory marked her 51st career win, which ranks second place in program history. Sophomore Anna Corbid (Stillwater, Minn.) closed out the game, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts.

Game 2 – Saint Benedict 12, St. Scholastica 0 (5 inn.)
Senior Olivia Wallace (Maple Grove, Minn.) and first-year Kaitlyn Pink (Delano, Minn.) combined on a shutout, while Downhour delivered two home runs and four RBI to power the Bennies to a 12-0 run-rule victory in five innings.

Wallace improved to 7-2 after allowing six hits over four innings with one strikeout. Pink tossed a scoreless inning, giving up just one hit.

The Bennies pounded out 14 hits in the nightcap, led by Downhour's big game, which included her fifth and sixth home runs of the season. Sophomore Lauren Freeberg (Rogers, Minn.) went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs scored, a triple and two stolen bases. Senior Olivia Tautges (Brainerd, Minn.) added two hits, two runs and two RBI, while Van Hout finished with a hit, a run scored and a stolen base. Olivia Major Blaine, Minn.) recorded her first career RBI after drawing a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning.

Saint Benedict again struck early, scoring five runs in the first inning, adding three in the second and putting the game away with four runs in the fourth.