WINONA, Minn. — It was a record-setting and dominant day on the diamond for the Saint Mary's University softball team, as the No. 3-ranked Cardinals (30-2, 16-0 MIAC) rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Hamline (4-23, 1-10 MIAC) with a pair of 9-0, five-inning victories.
The highlight of the day belonged to Peyton Berg, who etched her name in the program record books. With a three-run home run in Game One, Berg became Saint Mary's all-time RBI leader, surpassing the previous mark of 153 set in 1998 by Jill Hocking. The senior now stands at 156 career RBIs and counting.
GAME ONE (5 innings)
SMU 9, HAM 0
The Cardinals wasted no time getting on the board, as Berg jumpstarted the offense in the first inning with a double that scored Makayla Steffes. Megan McGinnis followed with an RBI single to give the team an early 2-0 lead.
The game broke wide open in the third inning, as the Cardinals erupted for six runs. After Alexandra Gerber and Steffes reached to set the stage, Berg delivered the historic moment—a three-run blast that not only extended the lead but also secured her place in the record books.
Saint Mary's wasn't done. McGinnis added another hit to keep the rally alive, setting up Naleyah Bork for a two-run home run. Emily Bonk capped the explosive inning with a solo shot, giving the Cardinals three home runs in the frame.
The offense added one more run in the fifth to close out the game, while Steffes dominated in the circle. She improved to 16-0 on the season, striking out seven and allowing just three hits in the five-inning shutout. The Cardinals finished with 12 hits and consistent production throughout the lineup.
GAME TWO (5 innings)
SMU 9, HAM 0
Saint Mary's carried its momentum into the second game, combining steady offense with flawless defense to complete the sweep.
Steffes again set the tone early, launching a two-run home run in the first inning. The Cardinals continued to apply pressure in the second, as Brianna Nusbaum tripled and later scored on a hit from Bonk to extend the lead.
Berg capped off her standout day with a perfect performance at the plate, going 4-for-4, including an RBI single in the third. Samya Brown added to the scoring with a base hit that brought in another run as the Cardinals built a commanding 6-0 advantage.
The Cardinals took advantage of Hamline miscues in the fourth inning, adding another run sparked by a double from Jaqueline Avaliz before putting the finishing touches on the game in the fifth. After a pinch-hit single from Michaela Duffy, Breonna Methner delivered the final blow, a two-run home run, the first of her collegiate career, to seal the 9-0 win.
Saint Mary's played clean, error-free defense across both games and showcased depth throughout the lineup in a complete team effort.
Kenzie Gatz pitched a near perfect game allowing just one hit in the fifth and struck out four batters in her 13th win of the season.
With plenty to celebrate, the Cardinals now quickly turn their focus to their final nonconference matchup of the season, traveling to UW-La Crosse for a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
