INDIANOLA, Iowa – Senior
Ellie Peterson (St. Anthony Village, Minn.) delivered a record-setting performance Thursday (May 14) as the No. 19 College of Saint Benedict softball team began NCAA Division III Regional play with a 3-2 victory over Central College.
The Bennies improved to 34-9 overall and extended their winning streak to 23 games with the win. CSB now advances to the winner's bracket to face regional host and No. 10-ranked Simpson (35-5) on Friday at 11 a.m.
"I thought our team played well. We found ways to make things happen," said CSB head coach
Rachael Click, who now has 357 career wins. "I thought the team played calm and were able to push runs across and make some defensive plays. We found ways to get the job done."
Peterson continued her standout senior season by earning the 57th victory of her career, setting a new school record and moving past Angie Erickson, who was 56-21 from 1997-00. The win also marked her 17th of the season, tying Elly Novak's program record set in 2021.
The senior right-hander allowed seven hits and two runs while striking out two and walking five in her 18th complete game of the season and the 54th of her career — both school records. Peterson has now won 14 straight decisions and improved to 17-5 with a 1.90 ERA.
She also added another highlight-reel moment in the seventh inning when she made a diving catch on a foul ball midway up the third-base line to secure the final out of the game. Peterson now owns the CSB career records for innings pitched (499.2), starts (81) and appearances (95).
"I focused on one pitch at a time and enjoying my time out there," Peterson said. "[On breaking the program win record] I had the opportunity to play with an amazing pitcher in Elly Novak, so it is an honor. When I saw the ball go up — we needed to get that last out, so I had to do whatever I could."
Saint Benedict broke through in the third inning with a two-out rally. Sophomore infielder
Lauren Freeberg (Rogers, Minn.) delivered a two-run single to score seniors
Olivia Tautges (Brainerd, Minn.) and
Bryn Ruhberg (Lino Lakes, Minn.) for a 2-0 lead.
"I thought their pitchers did a good job, but I just focused on hitting the ball and keeping it simple," said Freeburg, who finished with two hits to pace the Bennies offensively, while
Sammy Muetzel (Woodbury, Minn.) and Ruhberg each added a hit.
Tautges reached base four times after drawing three walks and being hit by a pitch. She now owns the school single-season record with 46 walks and the career mark with 70. Her four times on base also boosted her school-record on-base percentage to .611 this season.
As the Bennies prepare to face top-seeded Simpson on Friday, Click said the team remains focused on taking things one game at a time.
"We focus on today and now with that over, we turn the page to Simpson — what we know and what we can expect," Click said. "They are a really good program that has won a lot of games. Our team always rises to the occasion. We are excited to be moving on. We are ready to go and have full trust in our players. They have taken the reins this season. They decided they wanted this run. It's been super fun to support them any way I can."
