WINONA, Minn. - Your 13th ranked Saint Mary's Fastpitch Softball team (33-3) has claimed back-to-back MIAC regular season championships! The Cardinals secured the title after wrapping up another conference sweep against the Macalester Scots (22-12) today, dominating with a 10-1 win in game one and a 7-0 shutout in game two.

Today's title marks the sixth in program history, as your Cardinals remain flawless in conference play with a perfect 18-0 record and ride a 23 game win streak. The longest win streak since the 1998 season where they accomplished a 33 game win streak.

GAME ONE

Makayla Steffes shined for Saint Mary's, earning a complete game win (15-2) with two hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts over five innings. She also powered the offense with three runs, a homer, and three RBIs.

The Cardinals set the tone early with three runs in the first inning and maintained their momentum.

Steffes got things rolling with a walk, followed by Megan McGinnis getting hit by a pitch. Heather Nordlund's clutch single to second drove in both runners, and Allison Ciero tacked on another RBI to give the Cardinals a 3–0 lead.

In the second inning, the Cardinals continued their scoring streak. Amanda Teschky walked and was driven home by a two-run homer from Steffes. Consecutive hits for the Cardinals added another run making it a four-run inning for Saint Mary's, extending their lead to 7–0 after the second.
 
Teschky doubled to start another hot hitting third inning and was driven in by another double from Steffes. Peyton Berg continued the streak with a double, bringing in Steffes. Naleyah Bork's single added another RBI, concluding the inning with three additional runs. Saint Mary's led 10–0 after the third inning.
 
The game concluded with a 10–1 six inning victory for Saint Mary's, who accumulated 10 hits and capitalized on four Macalester errors throughout the game.
 
GAME TWO
 
With the MIAC regular season title on the line, the Cardinals were there to capitalize.
 
Pitcher Kenzie Gatz delivered a standout performance, completing a seven-inning shutout, allowing only three hits, and striking out six batters without issuing a walk. 
 
Saint Mary's took an early lead against Macalester in the first inning when Steffes reached on an error, stole two bases, and scored on Berg's sacrifice fly. 
 
In the third, Saint Mary's stretched the lead with three stolen bases making it 4–0.

The sixth inning saw another strong performance from Saint Mary's, starting with Abbie Stigler's walk and a single from Karli Zetah. Steffes continued her impressive day by driving in Stigler with a single, followed by Samya Brown's bunt single that scored Zetah. By the end of the sixth inning, Saint Mary's led 7–0. 
 
Macalester was unable to respond in the seventh inning, securing a 7–0 victory for the Cardinals.

What a fantastic way to wrap up your final home games of the regular season—on top!

The Cardinals will soak in this historic moment before regrouping for their final four conference games to close out the regular season.

The team now sets their sights on Saturday's road trip to Augsburg for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.