With their annual spring break trips behind them, both the St. Olaf baseball and softball teams opened up MIAC play this past weekend, with the softball team taking on the University of St. Thomas on Saturday, April 2, and the baseball team taking on Concordia College on April 3 in a double-header series.
The softball team struggled to get any- thing going in its MIAC opener against the 23rd ranked Tommies, losing the first game 8-0. Stephanie Borndale ’16 and Jessica Bentley ’18 led the Oles on the offensive side of the ball, each finishing 1-for-2.
The Oles lost the second game 7-0, fac- ing a tough Tommie pitching staff that only allowed one hit, coming from Emily Carr ’19.
The baseball team was on fire coming out of the gates in its first game against Concordia, quickly gathering a 12-0 lead heading into the sixth inning. This lead soon dwindled, with Concordia tying up the game 12-12 with a seventh inning grand slam. The Cobbers scored the win- ning run in the bottom of the eighth inning after St. Olaf walked the Cobber batter with bases loaded, ending the game with a final score of 14-13. The Oles were led by Sam Stuckmayer ’19, who finished he game 3-for-5 with seven RBIs and two home runs. Kap Davis ’16 also played a strong game, finishing 5-for-5 with two RBIs.
The Oles won the second game with a final score of 12-11, coming back from a 5-1 deficit by scoring 11 runs in the fifth inning. Both Stuckmayer and Nate Bauer ’16 hit grand slams to lead the Oles’ rally against the Cobbers. Pitcher Kade Cronin ’17 picked up the win for the Oles, allowing only three hits in the final two innings. The baseball team, now 5-9 overall, will play a double header against Bethel University on April 9, while the softball team, now 5-6 overall, will face Concordia
College on April 9 in a double header.