Bartow, FL - The Saints softball team competed against Wittenberg University and Thomas College today for their fourth day competing in The Spring Games. The Saints were not able to come away with a win from either game, and look to pick up their form again with their next games tomorrow.

Game One: CSS 2, Wittenberg University 9

The first inning started off strong, with Samantha Paniagua (Corona, Calif./Centennial HS) hitting off the game with a single to right field, as Emma Bolin (Litchfield Park, Ariz./Millennium HS) was able to capitalize and tally the first point for the Saints for a 1-0 lead. The Tigers bounced back with a single to center field, which brought two runners to home plate to claim a 1-2 lead at the bottom of the first.

A double from Victoria Nelson (Lake Elmo, Minn./Mahtomedi High School) wasn't enough for a run in the second inning for the Saints. The Tigers came up with a big three runs, which all started with a bunt to get the first runner in. A sacrificial fly to right field allowed their second runner to score, followed by a single to right field bringing in their third run of the inning as they took a 1-5 lead over the Saints.

The Saints weren't finished yet, as Paniagua doubled to center field in the third inning, which allowed Katelyn Hackman (Oakdale, MN/Tartan High School) to register the second run for the Saints to cut the deficit to 2-5. The Tigers responded with another run due to a single to right field to make it 2-6.

Hits from Jadyn Lind (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) and Bolin in the fourth inning weren't enough to come back, unable to get another run. The Tigers took advantage, and increased their deficit again. An error from the pitcher allowed two runners for the Tigers to cross home plate. They were able to add one more shortly after from a hit grounded out to the shortstop, and the Tigers finished with a 2-9 lead.

A double from Paniagua in the fifth inning couldn't bring in any more runners. The Saints were able to lock down in the outfield for the remainder of the game, but weren't able to come back. The final score of the first game of the day remained a 2-9 loss for the Saints.

Game Two: CSS 1, Thomas College 7

The Saints took on the Terriers of Thomas College in game two, looking to salvage a split for the day.

After shutting down the Terriers in the outfield, Callie Casura (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial High School) started the game off with a hit, which singled to right center but the Saints could not make anything of it. 

The Terriers responded with a home run off their first hit of the second inning, taking a 0-1 lead. Paniagua singled to right field as the Saints stepped up to bat, but again, couldn't get a run out of it. 

A single to left field from Hackman was contested with a series of five runs from the Terriers. This was achieved by a single to center field, bringing in two runners. Another single followed by an error from left field brought in an additional two runners increased their lead to 0-5. To cap it off, a Terrier hit an inside the park home run, ending their successful period with an 0-6 lead.

Denying the opposition any more runs in the next two innings, the Saints struggled as well, and the score remained the same. 

The Terriers tallied one final run in the top of the seventh inning, through a single to right center. The Saints were able to manage a run of their own, but it was too late. Aryn Blumenthal (Linwood, Minn./Forest Lake HS) singled up the middle, bringing in Sami Ernst (Forest Lake, MN./Forest Lake HS) for a final score of 1-7.

Up Next - The softball team (4-8, 0-0) look to rebound tomorrow on Friday, March 14 for their final two games in Florida. With first pitch scheduled for 9 a.m., they will face Curry College (MA) and Ohio Northern University (OH).
 

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