WINONA, Minn. – The No. 11 Saint Mary's softball team (40-7) had some ground they needed to make up Saturday. The Cardinals were facing elimination on Saturday morning but pulled off the sweep of the Calvin Knights and are feeling super.
The Cardinals officially clinch back-to-back Super Regional appearances. The team took it to the Knights winning game 6-1 before the final game of the regional where they won 6-4.
GAME ONE
SMU 6, CU 1
Just like yesterday's matchup, the Knights struck early to take a 1-0 lead after a solo home run in the second inning.
This time, the Cardinals made sure when they came back, they stayed ahead.
The Cardinals exploded for three runs at the top of the third
Karli Zetah reached on an error and Samya Brown walked which set the stage for the program leader in RBI's, Peyton Berg. Berg slammed home a three run homerun, the teams first home run of the tournament, to take the 3-1 lead.
They tacked on another insurance run in the fourth when Amanda Teschky laid down a perfect bunt to send home her teammate Erin Parker.
Saint Mary's kept the Knights scoreless and even got out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth to keep the Cardinals ahead 4-1.Â
It was a fun sixth inning as they added two more runs, thanks to singles from Parker, Teschky, Zetah, and Alexandra Gerber, to solidify the 6-1 win and force a game seven of the Winona Regional.
Makayla Steffes picked up her 21st win of the season at the mound.
GAME TWO
SMU 6, CU 4
The pressure was on.
Both teams were officially battling to keep their seasons alive and the Cardinals came out on top in the back and fourth affair.
Calvin struck first once again, no shocker, it was another two run home run. The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the second inning, plating two runs themselves.
Abbie Stigler got the inning going with a double before pitcher Kenzie Gatz sent her home with a line drive down right. She was later brought in by a clutch hit by pinch hitter Michaela Duffy who landed her second double of the season at no better time even the game at two a piece.Â
The Cardinals took their first lead of the day, 3-2, when Naleyah Bork was walked and pinch ran by Parker who later was moved by Stigler. It set up Gatz to drive one to left field and score Parker.Â
The Knights evened the score in the fourth to make things interesting.
The game shifted in the sixth when Megan McGinnis walked and the Knights proceeded to walk the next three batters leading to one run to score. Adding to the inning, Stigler sent one in with a sacrifice fly and Brianna Nusbaum sent in another on a slap.Â
It was all Cardinals from there, leading 6-3 heading into the top of the seventh.Â
The Knights were able to earn one last run of their season but the run was cut short on a double play to end the day!
Gatz had herself a game two, recording the win on the mound, number 18, and went 3-for-4 from the plate.
"We made some adjustments we needed in batting practice," said Berg when asked about their mentality going into today's elimination day.Â
"I just trusted my defense and my teammates trusted me to make the plays," said Gatz about her stellar game two.
The Cardinals will await the committee's selection on where the team will play next. The Cardinals next opponent is determined, though. They will be facing the Simpson Storm, who the team took down in Regionals last season, next weekend to open up Super Regionals after they beat Saint Benedict in game seven.Â
The Cardinals hope they can get the chance to host another weekend and play in front of the home crowd.
"It makes you think, this is supposed to be fun," said Tschida about the home crowd atmosphere.
The team loves to make it fun and will continue their fun next weekend.
