KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The College of St. Scholastica softball team extended its winning streak to three games with a convincing victory over Dean College before nearly completing a late comeback in a narrow 3-2 loss to Ohio Northern on Tuesday at The Spring Games.
The Saints showed balance throughout the day, producing 17 hits across the two games while continuing their recent momentum at the plate.
Game One – St. Scholastica 7, Dean College 2
St. Scholastica opened the day with a strong offensive performance, defeating Dean College 7-2 behind a 12-hit attack.
The Saints struck first in the opening inning when Jadyn Lind (Hermantown, MN/Hermantown HS) delivered a two-run single to right field, scoring Kaylei Greene (San Bernardino, CA/Summit HS) and Victoria Nelson (Lake Elmo, MN/Mahtomedi HS) to give CSS an early 2-0 lead.
Dean responded with two runs in the second inning, but the Saints quickly regained control. Anna Azure (Brooklyn Park, MN/Osseo HS) put CSS back in front in the bottom of the second with an RBI double that scored Rita Langford (Webster, MN/Northfield Senior HS).
The Saints broke the game open in the fifth inning. Lindsey Ewer (Hermantown, MN/Hermantown HS) singled to start the rally and later scored on an RBI single from Ally Breidenbach (St. Cloud, MN/Apollo HS). Lind added another RBI groundout before Santanna Heise (Rochester, MN/Mayo HS) drove in a run with a double, extending the lead to 6-2.
CSS added one more run in the sixth when Greene singled home Bella Jack (St. Paul, MN/Highland Park Senior High School).
Lind finished the game with two hits and three RBIs to lead the Saints offensively, while Greene collected two hits and an RBI. Azure and Heise each added doubles as part of the Saints' 12-hit performance.
In the circle, Bailey Ellison (Chaska, MN/Chaska HS) earned the win, allowing just two runs—both unearned—over five innings while scattering five hits. Aleah Blumenthal closed out the final two innings without allowing a run.
The victory marked St. Scholastica's third straight win.
Game Two – Ohio Northern 3, St. Scholastica 2
The Saints nearly made it four consecutive victories in the nightcap, rallying in the seventh inning before falling just short in a 3-2 loss to Ohio Northern.
Ohio Northern scored all three of its runs in the third inning, taking advantage of a string of hits to build a 3-0 lead.
St. Scholastica was held scoreless through the first six innings before mounting a late push in the seventh. Payton Lang (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville South HS) led off the inning with a bunt single, and Lindsey Ewer (Hermantown, MN/Hermantown HS) followed with a double to left field.
Lang scored on a wild pitch to get the Saints on the board, and Sami Ernst (Forest Lake, MN./Forest Lake HS) later delivered an RBI single that brought home Ewer to cut the deficit to one run. Ernst then stole second to move the tying run into scoring position, but the Saints were unable to complete the comeback.
Callie Casura (Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial HS) led the Saints with two hits, while Ernst finished with an RBI and a stolen base. Ewer added a double and scored during the seventh-inning rally.
Aleah Shogren (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji HS) took the loss after allowing three runs over four innings, while Bailey Ellison (Chaska, MN/Chaska HS) provided two scoreless innings of relief.
St. Scholastica will continue play at The Spring Games later this week.
