WINONA, Minn. — Under sunny skies and in front of a packed Senior Day crowd, the No. 4 Saint Mary's softball team (26-2, 12-0 MIAC) extended its winning streak to 13 games with a conference sweep of St. Olaf (11-14, 4-5). The Cardinals delivered in all facets, capping a memorable day with two hard-fought victories.

GAME ONE

SMU 2, STO 1

Saint Mary's leaned on timely hitting and clutch pitching to edge the Oles in a tight opener. After surrendering a run in the first inning, the Cardinals responded late to secure the comeback win.

The turning point came in the fifth, when Alexandra Gerber sparked the rally with a single and a stolen base before Makayla Steffes delivered an RBI single to even the score at 1-1. In the sixth, Naleyah Bork reached on a leadoff single and was replaced by pinch runner Karli Zetah, who advanced into scoring position. Following a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Teschky, Samya Brown came through with the go-ahead RBI to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.

The defense held firm from there. Kenzie Gatz shut the door in the seventh, working around a leadoff single before inducing a strikeout and a game-ending double play to earn the save.

Gerber led the offense with two hits, a run scored, and two stolen bases. Steffes added an RBI while tossing six strong innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out three. 

GAME TWO (5-Innings)

SMU 11, STO 3

The Cardinals' offense came alive in the nightcap, pounding out 12 hits to complete the sweep in commanding fashion.

After St. Olaf grabbed an early 1-0 lead, Saint Mary's responded immediately. A combination of patience and aggressive baserunning, which was highlighted by Brianna Nusbaum's walk and run scored, helped fuel a four-run first inning. Key contributions from Gerber and Gatz gave the Cardinals early control.

Saint Mary's broke the game open in the fifth. Gatz led off with a double, Gerber followed with a two-RBI single, and Steffes and Peyton Berg added extra-base power to highlight a four-run surge that put the game out of reach.

Gerber paced the offense with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Berg chipped in two hits and two RBIs. Nusbaum added two runs and was active on the basepaths.

Gatz was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game while striking out five and allowing just two earned runs. She was highly efficient, throwing only 63 pitches over five innings without issuing a walk to improve to 11-1 on the season.

With the sweep, Saint Mary's continues to build momentum heading into its next MIAC matchup. The Cardinals return to action on Sunday, April 19, staying home for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch as their Saturday matchup at Macalester has been postponed due to the temps.