In the first game of the day against Saint Benedict, MVNU (3-1) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as the Lady Cougars strung together five hits. Sophomore catcher Caitlin Murphy scored on a wild pitch and junior third baseman Karly Clay drove in the other run with an RBI-single.

The lead grew to 4-0 in the top of the fourth inning when sophomore shortstop Tasha Konkle and Murphy both drew bases-loaded walks to plate two more runs. MVNU drew three walks in the inning and also took advantage of an error by the Blazers (0-3).

Sophomore designated player Staci Graham drove in freshman second baseman Kristin Kurelic (left) with an RBI-single in the top of the sixth inning to expand the lead to 5-0.

Saint Benedict avoided being shut out in the bottom of the sixth inning as they drew two walks and had an infield single to load the bases. Then, Andrea Fahey plated a run with a ground out. However, that would prove to be all the scoring as the Lady Cougars held on for the 5-1 victory.

Senior right-hander Kristin Eyerman (2-0) earned the victory on the mound as she scattered six hits, four walks, one hit batter, and one run over seven innings with six strikeouts.

Laura Althoff (0-2) took the loss for the Blazers as she gave up seven hits, five walks, and four runs over five innings with one strikeout and four wild pitches. Elle Barba tossed the final two innings and allowed four hits and one run.

Graham, Kurelic, Clay, and sophomore outfielder Leslie Banichar each had two hits apiece to pace the MVNU offensive attack. Tanya Croger, Jillian Rigg, and Beth Hanson had two hits each for Saint Benedict, which stranded 11 base runners in the game.

In the second game, the Lady Cougars jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when junior outfielder Whitney Clark hit a two-out, two-run single to center and Kurelic followed with an RBI-double down the leftfield line. All three runs were unearned in the inning as an error prolonged the inning for MVNU.

The Lady Cougars nearly posted their first shutout of the season, but Spring Arbor (1-5) took advantage of an MVNU error to score a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Autumn Palik’s infield single to shortstop with two outs drove in a run to make the final 3-1.

Junior right-hander Candace White (right) (1-1) registered the victory on the mound for the Lady Cougars as she allowed just four hits, two walks, one hit batter, and one unearned run over seven innings with a season-high nine strikeouts. The MVNU defense also turned three double plays.

Palik (1-3) took the loss for Spring Arbor as she allowed five hits, one walk, and three unearned runs over six innings with five strikeouts.

Clark paced the Lady Cougars’ offense by going 2-for-2 with two RBI, while Kurelic’s double was the only extra base hit of the game.

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when the Lady Cougars will take on Carthage (Wis.) College at 1:00 p.m. and Loras (Iowa) College at 5:00 p.m.