Notables
-Fourth meeting vs. Luther at a NCAA Regional (0-4)
-CSS had only one hit after the first two batters recorded a hit in the top of the first
DECORAH, Iowa (
csssaints.com) – The No. 3 Luther College (Iowa) Norse scored three runs in the third and four more in fourth to top the St. Scholastica softball team 8-0 in five innings Friday to begin regional play in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Action
It was a promising start for the Saints as both
Alexa Bremer (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake HS) and
Olivia Bretting (Ashland, Wis. /Ashland HS ) reached base to begin the contest. However, CSS would not advance a runner past second in the inning.
Defensive miscues cost the Saints in the bottom frame with a one out error getting a runner on. Then consecutive passed balls allowed that run to eventually score to give Luther a 1-0 lead.
It remained 1-0 until the bottom of the third when the first three Luther batters reached base to push one run across. A sacrifice fly and an infield RBI single came later in the inning to extend the margin to 4-0.
St. Scholastica loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, but could not come through with a key hit as the inning ended with a fielder's choice. Luther then had the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning and delivered a bases clearing triple make it 7-0. A wild pitch followed to make it 8-0.
CSS needed to get a run across in the top of the fifth to extend the game, but went down in order to end it in five innings 8-0.
Pitching
Chrisi Mizera (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East HS) struck out four in four innings to pick up the loss. Samantha Bratland improved to 22-2, striking out six and allowing three hits in four innings.
Up Next
The Saints (24-16) will face No. 25 St. Catherine University at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow in an elimination game. St. Kate's fell to the University of Chicago 1-0 in the other contest in Decorah today.
