ST. PAUL, Minn. – The No. 8 Saint Mary's softball team closed out the regular season in dominant fashion on Friday, sweeping Macalester in MIAC action to finish the year at 35-5 overall and 20-2 in conference play.
With the pair of victories, the Cardinals now await the results of conference games on Saturday to determine tournament seeding and potential hosting rights for next weekend's MIAC Playoffs.
GAME ONE
SMU 6, MAC 1
Saint Mary's used a big third inning to take control of the opener and never looked back.
Megan McGinnis sparked the rally with a single before swiping both second and third base. Zoe Fink delivered a pinch-hit RBI to plate the game's first run, and after a hit from Makayla Steffes, Peyton Berg launched a two-run homer to cap a three-run frame.
The Cardinals added to their lead in the fourth inning. Naleyah Bork led off with a double before courtesy runner Karli Zetah came around to score using her speed on the bases. Later in the inning, Abbie Stigler doubled into scoring position and McGinnis followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 5-0.
Saint Mary's added another insurance run in the sixth inning, while Steffes kept the Scots quiet throughout the afternoon. Macalester broke up the shutout with a run in the seventh, but Steffes still earned her 18th win of the season after striking out four batters.
GAME TWO
SMU 7, MAC 1
The Cardinals carried their momentum into game two, jumping out to an early lead and controlling the contest from start to finish.
McGinnis doubled to open the game and Berg drew a walk before Stigler delivered a two-run RBI single to give Saint Mary's a quick 2-0 advantage in the first inning.
After several scoreless frames, the Cardinals broke things open in the fourth, scoring three runs on four hits to extend the lead to five.
Saint Mary's added two more runs later in the game as Gabbie Grover singled and stole second before Stigler drove her home. Bork followed with an RBI double to bring Stigler around and cap the scoring.
Kenzie Gatz was dominant in the circle, earning her 16th victory of the season. The sophomore struck out 10 batters while allowing just one walk and one run across her outing.
The Cardinals now turn their attention to next weekend's MIAC Tournament, with the regular-season championship and tournament hosting scenarios still to be decided pending the outcome of Saturday's conference games.
