MOORHEAD, Minn. – Under gray skies that quickly gave way to Cardinal dominance, the No. 4 Saint Mary's softball team (22-2, 8-0) delivered back-to-back wins against Concordia (8-12, 0-6) on Sunday afternoon, lighting up Moorhead with an explosive offensive showing and lockdown pitching.
GAME ONE (5 innings)
SMU 11, CC 0
Saint Mary's wasted no time taking control, erupting for seven runs in the second inning on the way to an 11-0, five-inning victory. The Cardinals piled up 12 hits while their pitching staff combined for a no-hitter, striking out six Cobber batters.
After manufacturing a run in the first inning that was sparked by Alexandra Gerber's single, stolen base, and eventual score on Makayla Steffes' groundout, the Cardinals broke the game open in the second.
Karli Zetah ignited the rally with aggressive baserunning, while Gerber and Steffes delivered key RBIs. Saint Mary's capitalized on defensive miscues as well, turning a string of productive at-bats into a commanding 8-0 lead.
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure in the fourth, with Gerber crossing the plate again on a Gabbie Grover RBI groundout to extend the advantage.
In the circle, Steffes was dominant, tossing over three hitless innings with five strikeouts. Olivia Poulin closed things out as the Cardinals secured the run-rule victory.
Gerber led the offense with three hits and three runs scored, while Steffes added three RBIs and two runs. Brianna Nusbaum and Grover chipped in key RBIs to round out the offensive surge.
GAME TWO
SMU 7, CC 4
The Cardinals completed the sweep with a 7-4 win, using a clutch three-run seventh inning to pull away after Concordia threatened late.
Saint Mary's totaled 13 hits in the contest, building a steady offensive rhythm throughout. The Cardinals struck early, manufacturing runs in the second and third innings behind aggressive baserunning from Zetah and Nusbaum, along with timely hitting from Steffes.
Concordia made things interesting in the sixth, using a three-run home run to trim the deficit to one. But the Cardinals responded immediately in the seventh. Gerber set the table with a single and stolen base before Peyton Berg delivered the biggest swing of the day – a two-RBI double to create separation. Zoe Fink followed with a sacrifice bunt that brought home an insurance run.
Saint Mary's defense held firm down the stretch, limiting the Cobbers' final push and securing the sweep.
Kenzie Gatz went the distance in the circle, allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out six to earn her ninth win of the season.
Berg led the charge offensively with three hits and three RBIs, including a pair of doubles. Gerber added two hits and two runs, while Steffes crossed the plate twice and drove in another.
Saint Mary's returns home on Wednesday, April 15, to host St. Scholastica at 3:30 p.m. in a Mental Health Awareness game.
