MANKATO, Minn. - The Saint Mary's softball team (6-0) quickly adjusted to a last-minute schedule change and defeated each of their opponents on Saturday. The Cardinals dominated Minnesota Morris (0-1) with a commanding 25-1 victory in the first game, handing them their first loss, before securing a 6-2 win over Luther (0-1).

MN-MORRIS

Megan McGinnis made a significant impact for the Cardinals, scoring a team-high three runs and adding two hits, including a double, while driving in two runs. Peyton Berg was another standout player, recording three RBIs with a hit and a walk, contributing to the team's offensive success. Allison Ciero displayed power at the plate, hitting a home run and a double, accumulating three RBIs and crossing home plate three times. 

Naleyah Bork excelled on the mound, pitching two innings without allowing a hit or a run, while striking out two batters, securing the win for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals opened the game strong, bringing in nine runs in the first inning against Minnesota Morris. The scoring began when McGinnis doubled and later scored on Zoe Fink's single. Berg took advantage of a passed ball to score, and French's RBI single brought in another run. The highlight of the inning was Ciero's three-run home run that increased the lead significantly. Berg and McGinnis added to the score with two more RBIs, bringing the total to nine runs on seven hits.

In the second inning, the Cardinals continued their offensive momentum by adding seven more runs. Ali French doubled to start the inning, and Abbie Stigler followed with an RBI single. McGinnis contributed with a two-RBI single, and Berg's sacrifice fly brought another runner home, extending the lead to 16-0 by the end of the inning.

The Cardinals maintained their offensive pressure in the third inning as Stigler scored on an unearned run, and Jacqueline Avilez's RBI single kept the runs coming. Gabrielle Grover and Rhiannon Carroll each drove in runs with singles, raising the score to 19-0. The team capitalized on Minnesota Morris's error, resulting in a continued commanding lead.

The fourth inning saw the Cardinals adding six more runs to their total. Despite Minnesota Morris managing to score one run in the fourth, the Cardinals concluded the game with a decisive 25-1 victory, totaling 24 hits and only one error.

LUTHER

In game two, the Cardinals standout player Makayla Steffes made a significant impact both on the mound and at the plate. In her pitching debut, she tossed a complete game, allowing four hits and one earned run over seven innings, while striking out eight batters. Offensively, Steffes contributed two hits, including a home run and a double, with one RBI. 

Heather Nordlund also had a notable performance as the designated hitter, recording two hits and two RBIs, including a double. French provided key support with two RBIs and a hit in three at-bats, and Stigler delivered defensively with four assists, contributing to the team's solid fielding performance.

The Cardinals took an early lead in the second inning when Amanda Teschky scored on an error, putting them on the scoreboard first with a run. This initial momentum was built on a single by Nordlund and a sacrifice by Bork, setting the pace for their offense.

In the third inning, Luther College responded with two runs, capitalizing on both a single and an error. This brief shift put Luther ahead with a 2-1 lead, showcasing their offensive resilience.

The Cardinals regained control in the fifth inning with a powerful offensive display, adding four runs to their tally. Steffes doubled and scored on McGinnis' single, then Nordlund's double brought in two more runs, with French reaching on an error to score the fourth run of the inning. This surge brought the score to 5-2 in favor of the Cardinals.

The sixth inning featured another key moment for the Cardinals as Steffes extended the lead with a solo home run. This added an insurance run, making it 6-2, and helped secure their position as they held Luther scoreless for the remainder of the game.

The Cardinals, after having a perfect start, aim to keep it that way again, taking on Luther College once more at 10:30 a.m. and then playing Bethany Lutheran at 1:00 p.m. to close out their weekend series.