BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Saint Mary's softball team (44-6) had a rough start to the College World Series, as their opening game didn't go as hoped. In the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup, the Cardinals faced off against the Linfield Wildcats (44-5) and suffered an 11-3 loss in just five innings.
 
"They knew we'd run, we knew they would hit it far," said Head Coach John Tschida, who entered his second World Series at the helm. "It was just a far one today."

The young Cardinals battled hard with the verteran Wildcats, who are in their third consecutive World Series.
 
The Cardinals jumped out ahead, in what seemed to be a hot start with three hits in the top of the first. Leading off, Megan McGinnis earned a single followed by a double from Abbie Stigler. She was later brought in by a sacrifice bunt by Peyton Berg to get on the board first.
 
Momentum was later ruined as the Wildcats put up five runs in the bottom of the first, carried by a three-run homerun to quickly fall 5-1.
 
Saint Mary's scored in each of the first three innings, highlighted by Makayla Steffes solo homerun in the top of the third but failed to generate runs afterward. 
 
None other than Claire Seats from Linfield secured her second three run homerun of the game in the fourth inning as the Cardinals were facing a run rule.
 
The Cardinals dug themselves into a deep 11-3 hole and were unable to get any runs to extend the game and faced an eight-run rule, the teams first since the 2023 season.
 
"We've been in this situation before," said Abbie Stigler, the Cardinals starting shortstop. "One loss isn't going to tear us down, we are all looking forward to coming back tomorrow."
 
It's a good thing the Cardinals are not done yet. The tournament is a double elimination series as they have another chance to extend their season tomorrow for another 1:30 P.M. game facing No. 8 Randolph-Macon College.