DULUTH, Minn. -- St. Scholastica softball honored its senior class on Saturday afternoon, recognizing
Ally Breidenbach (St. Cloud, MN/Apollo HS),
Payton Lang (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville South HS), and
Madi Glienke (West Fargo, N.D./West Fargo Sheyenne HS), but came up short in a MIAC doubleheader against Gustavus Adolphus at Kenwood Field.
In game one, the Saints applied early pressure, loading the bases in the opening inning behind singles from Sami Ernst (Forest Lake, MN./Forest Lake HS), Payton Lang (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville South HS), and Lindsey Ewer (Hermantown, MN/Hermantown HS). Gustavus worked out of the jam and took control with a two-run home run in the third inning, later adding another run in the fourth to secure a 3-0 win.
St. Scholastica finished with four hits in the opener, led by two from Ernst, while Lang and Ewer each added one. Bailey Ellison (Chaska, MN/Chaska HS) started in the circle and allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings, with Aleah Shogren (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji HS) providing two scoreless innings of relief.
Game two followed a similar pattern, with the Gusties building a lead early and the Saints looking to respond late. Gustavus scored in the first and third innings and carried a 3-0 advantage into the seventh.
The Saints broke through in their final at-bat when Katelyn Hackman (Oakdale, MN/Tartan HS) delivered a solo home run to center field — the team's first home run of the season. The late spark wasn't enough to complete the comeback, as Gustavus held on for a 3-1 win.
Hackman accounted for the lone run, while Ewer added two hits, including a double. Shogren went the distance in the circle, striking out seven while allowing three runs.
Between games, the Saints recognized seniors Breidenbach, Lang, and Glienke for their contributions to the program, marking their final home appearances in a St. Scholastica uniform.
The Saints will travel to St. Olaf on Sunday for their next MIAC doubleheader.
