MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - It was the perfect day for softball, made even better by the 13th-ranked Saint Mary's team (35-3) securing another conference sweep, extending their winning streak to 25 and remaining undefeated in conference play.
The Cardinals hit the road and shut out the Augsburg Auggies (15-23), picking up 2-0 and 4-0 wins on the day.
GAME ONE
Makayla Steffes pitched her fifth complete game shutout of the season, allowing only four hits and striking out six batters over seven innings.
The game started quietly with both teams unable to score in the first two innings.
Saint Mary's broke the deadlock in the third inning when
Megan McGinnis reached base on a single, advanced to second on a stolen base, and scored on
Peyton Berg's double to right center.
Amanda Teschky, who reached on an error earlier, also scored, giving Saint Mary's a 2-0 lead by the end of the third.
The third inning proved to be the difference-maker, as neither team managed to score in the final four innings.
The Auggies failed to mount a comeback, with the Cardinals defense securing the final outs to complete the shutout.
The Cardinals concluded game one with a 2-0 victory, effectively using their six hits and taking advantage of two errors by the Auggies.
GAME TWO
McGinnis led the Saint Mary's softball team with two hits and a career high three stolen bases in game two.
Kenzie Gatz was dominant on the mound, pitching her third complete game shutout with eight strikeouts over seven innings, allowing just three hits.
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the second inning when
Allison Ciero singled and later advanced to third, scoring on a throwing error by the Auggies.
In the third inning, the Cardinals added another run. McGinnis singled and stole two bases, eventually scoring on a throwing error, increasing the lead to 2-0.
Steffes reached via a fielding error and subsequently stole home to start the fifth inning. McGinnis also scored after reaching on another error, with Berg driving in the run, bringing the score to 4-0.
Augsburg was unable to respond after committing three errors in the fifth.
The Cardinals aim to wrap up the regular season tomorrow, April 27th, as they head back to the cities to face Hamline in a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.
