WINONA, Minn. - The road isn't getting any easier for the Saint Mary's Cardinals (42-5). In the opening round of the NCAA Division III Softball Super Regionals, they dropped a tightly contested game to the 15th-ranked UW-Whitewater Warhawks (39-7), falling 5-3.

The Cardinals aren't out yet in the double-elimination series and are looking ahead to tomorrow with hopes of securing two crucial wins to punch their ticket to the World Series.

The game was highlighted by UW-Whitewater's strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning.

The Cardinals responded right back.

Allison Ciero reached base with a well-placed bunt and quickly stole second. Megan McGinnis followed with a hard-fought at-bat, sending a ball to center field that advanced Ciero into scoring position. Peyton Berg then came through with a strong hit to right field, driving both runners home as the Cardinals trailed 3-2 after one.

After an explosive first inning, both teams' offenses would go cold for the next innings.

The Warhawks tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fourth inning.

In a pivotal seventh inning, the Warhawks extended their lead to three, but the Cardinals rallied late, building momentum to keep things interesting.

Kenzie Gatz and Heather Nordlund reached base with back-to-back singles, and pinch hitter Zoe Fink drove in a run. 

However, the late effort wasn't enough, as the Cardinals ultimately fell to the Warhawks in the best-of-three series.

The Cardinals are looking to keep their impressive season alive and will need to battle hard tomorrow, with back-to-back wins required to stay in the hunt.

The team will need to bring the energy tomorrow as they face the Warhawks once again, starting with a must-win game at 1:00 P.M. If necessary, the decisive final game of the series will follow at 3:30 P.M.