ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The UW-Stout softball team split a pair of games against the College of Saint Benedict on Saturday, bouncing back from a tough 8-3 loss in the opener to secure a thrilling 5-4 victory in game two.at the Husky Dome.
Game 1: Saint Benedict 8, UW-Stout 3
The Blue Devils (1-3) fell behind early in the first game, as Saint Benedict (2-1) put up a six-run first inning, capitalizing on seven hits. Despite the early deficit, Stout responded with a two-run third inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Abbey Dusterhoft and a fielder's choice RBI by Alexa Anderson. However, the Bennies' offense continued to apply pressure, adding insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Stephanie Kuhn led the Blue Devils at the plate, going 2-for-4, while Donna D'Addabbo and Rayni Bresnahan each reached base multiple times. Pitcher Anna Blanford (1-2) took the loss, giving up 14 hits and eight earned runs over six innings.
Game 2: UW-Stout 5, Saint Benedict 4
The Blue Devils regrouped for the second game, edging out the Bennies in a closely contested 5-4 win. Stout struck early with a sacrifice fly from D'Addabbo to bring in the first run. After adding another run in the third, the Blue Devils broke a 2-1 lead open in the sixth when Liz Rohl and Alexa Anderson delivered back-to-back RBI singles to push the lead to 4-1.
Saint Benedict mounted a late comeback, scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 4-3. Stout responded in the seventh, manufacturing a run on a groundout to extend their lead to 5-3. The Bennies scored once more in the final frame, but pitcher Samantha Bergeron (1-0) secured the complete-game victory, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out four.
Payton Dolecki provided a spark at the top of the lineup, scoring twice, while Kuhn and Muehlenbeck each contributed key extra-base hits.
The Blue Devils (2-2) will travel to Rochester, Minn. on Saturday, March 1 to face University of Northwestern (Minn.) and St. Olaf College at the RCTC Dome.
