LAS VEGAS – Behind Kim Nelson's complete game four-hitter, the Saints rallied in the seventh inning with an RBI single by Tessani Dixon to tie, and the go-ahead sac fly RBI by Devyn Connolly to beat Hawaii Hilo 2-1 in the final game of the Desert Stinger.
 
Trailing by one in the top of the seventh, the Saints (1-4) loaded the bases for Dixon who singled up the middle on a 1-1 count to tie the game. Next batter, Connolly, flied out to right, allowing Lauren Diuco to score from third and put SMU up 2-1. Nelson sealed the victory over Hawaii Hilo (4-1) with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
 
Saint Martin's nearly struck first in the first inning when Diuco and Lindsay Miller led off with singles. After a double-steal, the Saints were unable to get either run home. SMU once again had a runner on third in second inning, on back-to-back singles from Nicki DeHan and Macy Uyehara.
 
Kim Nelson pitched the best game of the young season against the Vulcans, never allowing more than one runner on base for the entire game. Nelson silenced the Hawaii Hilo bats until a solo blast in the bottom of the sixth put UHH on top 1-0.
 
The Saints, looking to return from Las Vegas with a win, needed a seventh rally to make it happen. With one out, Julia Lucas singled to left field, followed by a double from Diuco to put runners on second and third. L. Miller singled to left center but the runners held at the bases, loading them up for Dixon. Dixon's single up the middle tied the game and left the bases loaded. Connolly drove a 1-0 pitch to right field, flying out, but allowing Diuco to come home and give SMU a 2-1 lead.
 
Nelson clinched the first victory of the season for the Saints with back-to-back ground outs and a pop out to short.

"Defensively, we played composed, confident softball all weekend," said head coach Jim Peterson. "Our pitchers threw very well having the second lowest ERA of all teams in the tournament. We are looking to improve our offense execution for increased run production."
 
The Saints collected two runs, on 10 hits, led by Diuco and L. Miller at the top of the lineup with five combined hits. Nelson (1-1) pitched a complete game, her second of the year, and lowered her ERA to 2.23. Nelson allowed four hits, one run, earned, while only recording one strike out. She worked 10 fly outs and 10 ground outs in 26 batters faced.
 
The Saints travel to California for their next games, facing Holy Names on Feb 10. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for noon.