Notables
-Most runs scored in a UMAC Tournament game in program history
-CSS out-hit BLC 18-1
-Series history between CSS and BLC: 33-3
-Seventh game of the season where CSS has taken advantage of the mercy-run rule
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica softball team shutout Bethany Lutheran College in its first game of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Softball Tournament, winning 21-0 on Thursday at Kenwood Field.
The Action
The first inning saw no action, with both teams going three up and three down for a quick six outs. The Saints got the bats going in the bottom of the second inning, scoring eight runs. Chrisi Mizera (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East HS) singled to lead off, then two consecutive hits from Maggie Schley (Mounds View, Minn./Irondale HS) and Toni Bishop (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS) loaded the bases. Marjaana Dailey (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) walked, earning an RBI to put the first run on the board for CSS. Next up was Jena O'Byrne (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville HS), who was hit by a pitch to send another runner home. Cindi Rydlund (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) reached on a fielder's choice with a ball to left field, which allowed Bishop to score to put the Saints up 3-0. A double from Alexa Bremer (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake HS) earned her an RBI, then another double from Olivia Bretting (Ashland, Wis. /Ashland HS ) scored both Bremer and Rydlund. Bretting advanced to third on a throwing error from the second baseman. Hannah Borgeson (Woodville, Wis./Baldwin-Woodville HS) doubled in her at bat for an RBI to make the score 7-0. The final run of the inning came on a single from Samantha Clark (Brule, Wis/Northwestern HS).
The third inning saw one more run for CSS with the RBI going to Bremer on a sac fly to left field, scoring Carley Moisio (Hoyt Lakes, Minn./Mesabi East HS). Moisio was in pinch running for Rydlund, who reached on a triple to right center.
The Saints stepped up to the plate for another successful inning in the bottom of the fourth, scoring 12 runs on eight hits, taking advantage of two errors. The Saints had seven players during the inning credited with runs batted in. Schley, Bremer, Bretting, and Mizera all had single RBIs. Killyn Kanters (Hayward, Wis./HACIL Charter School), Moisio, and Borgeson each had two. By the time the Vikings had managed three outs, the Saints had extended their lead to 21-0. The top of the fifth was another frustrating one for Bethany Lutheran, who couldn't find their groove, ending the game early by mercy rule.
Mizera pitched four full innings for the Saints, striking out five. Schley stepped in for the final inning, striking out two of the three batters she faced. At bat, Bretting went 2-for-3 and earned three RBIs. Borgeson went 2-for-4 with three RBIs of her own. Bremer also had three RBIs during the game.
Up Next
The Saints will be back in action tomorrow when they take on second-seeded Crown College, which defeated third-seeded University of Northwestern (Minn.) in game two of the tournament on Thursday afternoon. The CSS vs Crown game is scheduled to begin at noon.
