Senior Melissa Barry slides into home plate giving the Tommies their only score for the game. (Emma Gurka/TommieMedia)
First-year pitcher Megan Baniecke pitches a strike. (Emma Gurka/TommieMedia)
Sophomore Mara Simon gets up to the plate for the Tommies and hits a grounder to third. (Emma Gurka/TommieMedia)
Senior outfielder Dana Connelly gives the Tommie an out. (Emma Gurka/TommieMedia)
First-year pitcher Megan Baniecke rifles a quick pitch in for the Tommies to strike out a St. Ben’s hitter. (Emma Gurka/TommieMedia)
The Tommies line up for the Nation Anthem before taking on the Blazers. (Emma Gurka/TommieMedia)
The No. 21 College of St. Benedict softball team defeated conference rival No. 4 University of St. Thomas 3-1 in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at St. Thomas’ South Field.
After a quick first inning run, the Tommies (14-3 overall, 2-1 MIAC) were kept quiet by the Blazers (14-4 overall, 2- 0 MIAC). Sophomore Aly Hjort pitched a complete game, allowing only one run in the seven innings, despite giving up seven hits.
The lone Tommie run was batted in by senior infielder Chase Shortly with a triple in the first inning.
First-year infielder Jordan Swoboda lead the Blazers with a RBI single in the second inning and a RBI triple in the third.
Tommies junior relief pitcher Hailey Dunning gave the Tommies a chance at the end, allowing just one hit in four innings.
The Tommies threatened with two runners and no outs in the seventh, but recorded three straight outs to the end the game.
The Tommies play again at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at South Field.
Alex Panos can be reached at pana8391@stthomas.edu.