CLERMONT, Fla. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota fastpitch softball team kicked off its day on Friday in much the same way they ended the day on Thursday—embroiled in a one-run game.
And, fortunately for the Cardinals, the end result was the same, as Saint Mary's—coming off a 2-1, eight-inning win over Lebanon Valley on Thursday—scored the game's only run in the bottom of the first inning Friday, beating Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 1-0.
The Cardinals took part in their fourth straight one-run game in their second game of the day against John Carroll—but the results weren't as favorable, as the Blue Streaks dealt Saint Mary's a trip-ending 6-5 setback.
Kathi Opsahl (Elk River, Minn.) was the offensive hero for the Cardinals against Rose-Hulman, as the sophomore collected three of the team's four hits—going 3-for-3—while also driving in the game's only run with an RBI double in the first inning.
Stanzy Snyder (Johnston, Iowa) accounted for Saint Mary's other hit, delivering a fifth-inning double in going 1-for-1 with a pair of walks and a run scored.
With Opsahl doing her part at the plate,
Ashley Betzold (Farmington, Minn.) did her part from inside the pitcher's circle, tossing a complete-game six-hit shutout. The sophomore right-hander scattered six singles—and did not allow a Fighting Engineer runner past second base—while walking one and striking out one.
The Cardinals jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead against John Carroll, but the lead did not last long, as the Blue Streaks plated four runs in their first at-bat to take a 4-1 advantage.
Saint Mary's clawed its way back with two runs in the second and another in the top of the fourth to knot the game at 4-4. John Carroll answered with single runs in the fourth and fifth—and held off a seventh-inning Cardinal rally to secure the 6-5 victory.
Opsahl,
Alex Raske (Chicago, Ill.),
Mariah Harper (Schaumburg, Ill.) and
Sam Borawski (Stickney, Ill.) each had two hits to account for six of the team's 12 hits against John Carroll. Harper also drove in two runs, with Borawski, Opsahl and Betzold driving in the Cardinals' other three runs.
The Cardinals (6-6 overall) are now off until March 25, when they kick off Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play—weather permitting—with a conference doubleheader against Gustavus. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Saint Mary's Field.
