NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Racing the rain, the fading daylight, and a determined Carleton squad, the No. 4 Saint Mary's softball team left no doubt who controlled the day. The Cardinals (18-2, 4-0 MIAC) powered their way to a commanding conference sweep of the Knights (10-10, 0-4 MIAC), ending both games early with dominant five-inning mercy-rule victories.

GAME ONE (5 INNINGS)

SMU 12, CC 2

At Ele Hansen Field, Saint Mary's wasted no time asserting itself, scoring in every inning and erupting for a five-run second that blew the game open. The Cardinals racked up extra-base hits all afternoon, five doubles and a triple, while keeping constant pressure on the basepaths.

Despite a brief two-run response from Carleton in the second, the Cardinals answered immediately and never looked back, combining timely hitting with sharp pitching to seal the win.

Makayla Steffes was electric on both sides of the ball, tossing a complete-game five-hitter with five strikeouts to earn her ninth win of the season. She helped her own cause at the plate as well, scoring twice while adding a double, a triple, and an RBI.

Erin Parker fueled the offense with three hits, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base, while Megan McGinnis turned heads with her speed, swiping three bases and crossing the plate three times. As a team, the Cardinals piled up a season-high eight stolen bases, keeping the Knights scrambling all game long.

The decisive second inning set the tone. McGinnis led off with a double, stole third, and sparked a rally that featured heads-up baserunning, a key error, and clutch hits from Parker and Peyton Berg, whose two-RBI single highlighted the five-run surge.

Saint Mary's kept its foot on the gas from there, adding insurance runs in the third on RBI doubles from Amanda Teschky and Brianna Nusbaum before closing things out in dominant fashion.

GAME TWO (5 INNINGS)

SMU 14, CC 2

If game one was control, game two was an explosion.

The Cardinals erupted for 13 hits, including two home runs, and once again ended things early behind a relentless offensive attack.

The fireworks started immediately. Parker worked a leadoff walk, stole second, and came around to score before Naleyah Bork launched a two-run blast to cap a five-run first inning. Saint Mary's never slowed down from there.

Steffes stayed hot at the plate, delivering three hits, three runs, and a home run as part of another standout performance. Bork's early homer set the tone, while McGinnis continued to wreak havoc on the bases.

The Cardinals added to their lead with a mix of aggressive baserunning and opportunistic hitting, highlighted by a crafty sequence in the fourth inning that brought home another run. In the fifth, Steffes' solo shot and a string of Carleton miscues put the finishing touches on the rout.

Kenzie Gatz was dominant in the circle, spinning a complete game while allowing just two earned runs on six hits. She walked only one and struck out two, earning her eighth win of the season while also contributing two RBIs at the plate.

With back-to-back mercy-rule victories, Saint Mary's continues to roll through conference play, showcasing a potent mix of power, speed, and pitching depth.

Now, the Cardinals finally turn their attention home.

After weeks of delays and schedule changes, Saint Mary's is set for its long-awaited home opener this Saturday at 1:00 p.m., hosting Gustavus Adolphus in a special breast cancer awareness game.