Box Score 1 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4

COLOMBUS, Ga. – The No. 4 Saint Mary's softball (14-2) team wrapped up a challenging weekend at the NFCA Lead Off Classic, facing some of its toughest competition of the season in Columbus, Ga. The Cardinals split their final two days of the tournament, dropping narrow contests to No. 14 Huntingdon and DePauw before rebounding with wins over No. 13 Emory and Pacific Lutheran.

SMU 3, DU 4
Saint Mary's jumped out to an early lead with three runs across the first two innings, but DePauw (2-1) rallied late, including two runs in the bottom of the seventh, to steal a 4-3 victory.

Megan McGinnis paced the Cardinals offensively with two hits and a run scored. Samya Brown provided a key pinch-hit RBI, while Makayla Steffes tossed two innings without allowing an earned run and added a hit and a run at the plate. 

The Cardinals built a 3-0 advantage early as McGinnis scored on Berg's RBI single and Steffes later crossed the plate on a sacrifice bunt by Naleyah Bork. Brown followed with a pinch-hit RBI single to bring home Kenzie Gatz.

The Tigers mounted their comeback in dramatic fashion in the seventh.

A leadoff double followed by a stolen base put the tying run in scoring position. After a fielder's choice, a defensive miscue allowed two runs to score and sealed the Tigers' walk-off win. Saint Mary's had a chance to add insurance in the top half of the inning after Erin Parker led off with a single, but the Cardinals left the runner stranded.

SMU 4, EU 3
The Cardinals bounced back with a hard-fought 4-3 win over No. 13 Emory (6-6) to avoid a sweep on the day.

Alexandra Gerber sparked the offense early, stealing two bases to reach third before Berg drove her home in the opening inning for a 1-0 lead. Emory answered in the second to tie the game, but Saint Mary's regained momentum in the third when McGinnis and Steffes each launched home runs to give the Cardinals a 3-1 advantage.

Berg delivered again in the fifth inning, sending Steffes home after Emory committed a pair of defensive errors to push the Cardinals ahead for good. Emory threatened in the seventh, but Saint Mary's defense held firm, stranding two runners to secure the victory.

SMU 6, HC 7
Saint Mary's nearly erased a deficit against No. 14 Huntingdon (12-2), scoring three runs in the seventh inning, but the rally fell just short in a 7-6 loss.

Gerber led the Cardinals with three hits and two RBIs, while Steffes struck out four over three innings in the circle. Gabbie Grover added pressure on the basepaths with two stolen bases, and Parker contributed a hit and a run scored.

The Hawks pivotal moment came in the sixth inning. After back-to-back singles from Taylor Au and Riley Rudick, a fielding error loaded the bases. A walk forced in an unearned run before an RBI single to extend the Hawks' lead to 7-3.

The Cardinals mounted a late charge in the seventh. Abbie Stigler opened with a single and Karli Zetah reached on an error before Gerber drove in a run with an RBI single. McGinnis followed with a productive groundout to score another run, and Steffes added one more RBI on a groundout to shortstop. The rally ended with the tying run still at the plate.

SMU 8, PLC 0
Saint Mary's closed the tournament on a high note, rolling to an 8-0 shutout over Pacific Lutheran (3-3) behind a dominant fourth inning.

The Cardinals collected nine hits and took advantage of three Pacific Lutheran errors, highlighted by a six-run fourth frame that broke the game open.

Amanda Teschky led the offensive charge with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Steffes was sharp in the circle, throwing over four scoreless innings with six strikeouts while allowing five hits. Naleyah Bork reached base twice and scored twice, and Brown added two RBIs and two stolen bases.

The big fourth inning began when Teschky reached on an error that allowed Gabbie Grover and Bork to score. Zoe Fink followed with a grounder that plated another run after an error, and Brown delivered a pinch-hit single to drive in two more. Brown then swiped both second and third before Steffes capped the inning with an RBI single.

Saint Mary's had opened the scoring in the second inning when Teschky singled, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on Fink's sacrifice groundout. The Cardinals' defense also came up big, turning a fourth-inning double play to erase a leadoff baserunner and preserve the shutout.

Berry College went on to win the tournament for the first time. 

Saint Mary's will now take an extended break before opening conference play at home on Wednesday, April 1, hosting St. Catherine in a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m.