Duluth, MN - The Saint Scholastica softball team took on the Knights of Carleton College this afternoon in a double header matchup at Kenny Harkins Field. The Saints were able to come away with a split after nailing down the second game with a five run inning.
Game One: CSS 2, Carleton College 3
The Saints started the first game off in inning two, with Sami Ernst (Forest Lake, MN./Forest Lake HS) kicking off the game with a single through the left side.
After locking down the Knights, the Saints put on a strong performance in the bottom of the third inning. Emma Bolin (Litchfield Park, Ariz./Millennium HS) put the first run on the board from a single up the middle from Katelyn Hackman (Oakdale, MN/Tartan High School) to take a 1-0 lead.
Payton Lang (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) registered the second run for the Saints thanks to a single hit to the shortstop from Jadyn Lind (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS), cushioning a 2-0 lead for the team.
In the top of the fourth, the Knights did not give up, scoring two runs to deadlock the game in a 2-2 tie from a double and a sacrifice fly.
The Saints went back to work to find their lead again, with singles from Ernst and Madi Glienke (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo Sheyenne HS) applying the pressure in the bottom of the fourth but could not capitalize.
Carleton finally broke through the outfield in the top of the sixth, taking a 3-2 lead from a double to left center.
Time was not in favor for the Saints, and were not able to clinch the lead back as they lost the first game 3-2.
Game Two: CSS 6, Carleton College 4
The Knights began the second game on the right foot by taking an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.
However, the Saints went on an incredible five run inning in the bottom of the second inning. Hackman would score the first run by a double from Victoria Nelson (Lake Elmo, Minn./Mahtomedi High School), leveling the game to 1-1. Nelson went herself to claim the 2-1 lead after advancing home off an error.
A single up the middle from Aryn Blumenthal (Linwood, Minn./Forest Lake HS) allowed both Anna Azure (Brooklyn Park, MN/Osseo High School) and Ernst to make it to home plate, extending their lead to 4-1. To complete the highly productive inning, Adie Potratz (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS) sealed the deal for a 5-1 lead thanks to a single by Lind.
Despite being in a heavy setback, the Knights cut the deficit to 5-2 in the top of the third, and once more to 5-3 in the top of the fifth.
The Saints were simply too determined to let the game slip away from their reach, and confidently extended their lead once more in the bottom of the fifth. Samantha Paniagua (Corona, Calif./Centennial HS) crossed home plate from a hit from Bolin, making the score 6-3.
Carleton had one final say in the final inning, cutting the deficit to 6-4. However, it was not enough, giving Saints the split for the day in a much deserved victory.
Up Next - The Saints (6-18, 2-6) will compete next against the Pipers of Hamline University on Wednesday, April 16 in a double header conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in St. Paul, MN.
