St. Joseph, MN - The Saints softball team challenged the in-form Bennies of The College of Saint Benedict yesterday afternoon in a conference doubleheader matchup. The Saints came close in the first game, but were eventually outpaced in the second game, ultimately falling in both games.

Game One: CSS 4, College of Saint Benedict 7

The first game started off with the Bennies gaining the edge in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead over the Saints. 

In the bottom of the fourth, the Bennies went on to score five additional runs, including a triple hit to extend their lead to 6-0. Shortly after in the bottom of the sixth, they tacked on one more to make it 7-0.

The Saints were not finished quite yet. Leaving it late, the Saints went on a streak of runs in the top of the seventh and final inning.
It began with an error by the third baseman, allowing Victoria Nelson (Lake Elmo, Minn./Mahtomedi High School), Katelyn Hackman (Oakdale, MN/Tartan High School), and Adie Potratz (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS) to cross home to cut the deficit to 7-3.

Rita Langford (Webster, MN/Richfield High School) then singled to shortstop, bringing in an additional run for the Saints thanks to Megan Bussey (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS).

However, the Saints left it too late as the final score of the game ended in the 7-4 loss.

Game Two: CSS 2, College of Saint Benedict 13

The Bennies once again began on the front foot, scoring two quick runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 2-0 lead. They then tacked on two more in the next inning, for a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Bennies once again took control of the game, scoring eight more runs to take a 12-0 lead.

After the Bennies tacked on one more in the bottom of the fourth, the Saints responded with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning.

Jadyn Lind (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) scored the first run thanks to a single hit from Lauren Laviano (Maplewood, Minn./Mahtomedi HS). Then, after Callie Casura (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial High School) stole second, Payton Lang (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) stole home, making the final score 13-2. 

Up Next - The Saints (10-24, 6-12) will play Bethel University here at Kenwood Field today, April 27 looking to bounce back for their senior night. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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