WINONA, Minn. — Talk about a statement day. The No. 4 Saint Mary's softball (24-2, 10-0) team put on an absolute clinic at home, emptying the bench, lighting up the scoreboard, and rolling to its most lopsided conference wins since last season to a pair of 16-run victories over St. Scholastica.
The Cardinals didn't just win, they dominated, cruising to 16-0 and 17-1 victories in back-to-back five-inning run-rule games. And if there's a number to remember? It's 16. The Cardinals won both games by exactly that margin.
GAME ONE (5 INNINGS)
SMU 16, CSS 0
Saint Mary's wasted no time taking control, erupting early and never letting up in a 16-0 shutout fueled by 13 hits and lights-out pitching.
The Cardinals came out swinging in the first inning, turning patience and power into production. Walks by Alexandra Gerber and Brianna Nusbaum opened the door before Peyton Berg ripped an RBI double. Megan McGinnis followed with a two-run single, and the floodgates were officially open. Amanda Teschky added another RBI knock, and with aggressive baserunning and a Saint miscue, Saint Mary's quickly built a commanding lead.
The offense stayed relentless. Berg launched a solo homer in the third, while McGinnis and Teschky kept the pressure on with extra-base production. Jacqueline Avilez and Nusbaum added to the rally as the Cardinals capitalized on every opportunity.
By the fourth, it was all Cardinals. Ariel Herrera's two-run triple and Nora Bamlet's two-run single highlighted another explosive inning, sealing the run-rule win in emphatic fashion.
In the circle, Makayla Steffes was electric, striking out seven over three innings while allowing just one hit on an ultra-efficient 30 pitches. Olivia Poulin slammed the door in relief, needing just 13 pitches to finish off the shutout.
GAME TWO (5 INNINGS)
SMU 17, CSS 1
If game one was dominant, game two was downright overwhelming.
Saint Mary's piled up 17 runs on 14 hits, delivering another five-inning rout behind a jaw-dropping nine-run second inning and a season-high 18 RBIs.
The Cardinals set the tone immediately. After Gerber reached and swiped a bag, Makayla Steffes delivered an RBI double. Then came the knockout blow as Kenzie Gatz crushed a grand slam to cap a five-run first inning and give Saint Mary's all the momentum it needed.
But they weren't done, not even close.
The second inning turned into a full-on offensive avalanche. Nine runs crossed the plate as Zoe Fink launched a two-run homer, Herrera roped a two-RBI double, and the Cardinals took advantage of walks, steals, and defensive miscues to blow the game wide open at 14-1.
From there, the Cardinals stayed in control, combining timely hitting with sharp defense to shut down any comeback hopes.
Gatz led the charge with five RBIs and a home run, while Fink added three RBIs and a long ball of her own. Steffes continued her strong day at the plate, and Gerber was a menace on the bases with multiple steals and runs scored.
In the circle, Gatz picked up her 10th win of the season, and a mix of Herrera, Whitney Myers, Sophia Wallace, and Rhiannon Carroll kept the Saints in check the rest of the way.
The Cardinals won't have much time to celebrate. Saint Mary's turns right around to host St. Olaf tomorrow for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader with Senior Day adding even more energy to an already red-hot squad.
