MANKATO, Minn. - The Saint Mary's softball team (8-0) has kicked off the season with an undefeated 8-0 record following their weekend series at the Maverick Dome! The Cardinals first faced Luther College, securing a thrilling 9-4 extra-inning win, then defeated Bethany Lutheran 9-5 on the final day.
Saint Mary's completed a season sweep of both the Vikings and the Norse.
LUTHER
In the top of the second inning, Saint Mary's had several opportunities to score. They managed to load the bases with two outs, but unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on the chance. Luther took the first lead of the game at the bottom of the second, 1-0.
The Cardinals' offense came alive once again in the third inning as
Megan McGinnis singled to right field and stole second.
Peyton Berg then singled to right, scoring McGinnis to tie the game at 1-1.
Karli Zetah took over at first for Berg and stole second.
Heather Nordlund grounded out to shortstop, moving Zetah to third.
Naleyah Bork then doubled to center field, scoring Zetah to give Saint Mary's a 2-1 lead. French followed with a double to right field, driving in Bork and extending the lead to 3-1.
The Norse were right there again to tie the game 3-3.
After driving in another run for the Cardinals in the fourth inning, the Norse made a late comeback, even taking a 5-4 lead to avoid being swept for the season. In a critical seventh inning, Bork doubled to center field and
Samya Brown grounded out to the pitcher with a sacrifice bunt, advancing their runner to third.
Zoe Fink reached base on a fielding error by the pitcher with a sacrifice bunt, driving in the tying run to push extra innings!
The Cardinals fought hard and capped off a crucial four-run eighth inning to secure the season sweep. It all started when Nordlund singled to right field, driving in two RBIs. Berg advanced to second, then moved to third on a fielding error by the right fielder, eventually scoring unearned along with McGinnis. The team got the bases loaded and scored on a walk to cap off the win.
BETHANY LUTHERAN
The Cardinals came out strong in the first inning to finish off the final game in Mankato.
Makayla Steffes led off with a walk, then McGinnis grounded out to the pitcher, advancing Steffes to second. Bork reached on a right-field error, driving in a run as Nordlund moved to third and Steffes scored. Bork stole second, and French followed with a single to center field, bringing in two RBIs as Bork and Nordlund crossed the plate.
In the second inning, the Vikings scored a run, but the Cardinals responded to maintain their three-run lead, making it 4-1. The third inning proved challenging for the Cardinals, as the Vikings capitalized on three hits to tie the game at 4-4.
You can't keep the Cardinals down for long, as they erupted for a powerful five-run inning in the fourth.
Abbie Stigler doubled to right field, and
Kenzie Gatz followed with a single to second base, advancing Stigler to third. Steffes then hit a three-run homer, bringing in both Gatz and Stigler. McGinnis singled to third and stole second before Berg popped up to center field and McGinnis scored unearned on a throwing error. Finally, French singled to center field, driving in Bork to extend the lead and secure the win.
The Cardinals upcoming games will be played in Florida for their annual spring break series, with their first day of competition scheduled for Monday, March 3rd, when they will face Dominican and Bluffton University.
