LAS VEGAS – The 2020 season could not have opened any better for the Saints, beginning with a 6-2 victory over University of Mary, followed by their 12-6 domination of Dominican for a sweep on the day.
 
"I was proud of how our team fought back from an early deficit in both games," said head coach Jim Peterson. "We showed power at the plate, and was able to get scoring production from having quite a few baserunners today. It was a good start to the season in many aspects of the game."
 
In the opening game, Brandi Schoessler (1-0) allowed a first inning run, but quickly got into form, and began to shut down University of Mary (0-2). Schoessler and the Saints (2-0) defense shut out Mary over the course of the next five innings, and only allowed one last run in the final inning. Schoessler threw for a complete game, allowing eight hits, with two runs, one earned, with three strikeouts, and no walks.
 
Saint Martin's supplied most of their run support in the second inning, leading off with a Julia Lucas three run blast. The junior connected on what proved to be the game-winning shot, driving in the first runs of the year. SMU wasn't done in the inning, striking for another run later on a Emery Norwood infield single.
 
The Saints added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning, starting with a double-steal, scoring Kylee Vanderbout. Norwood later scored in the frame on a RBI groundout from Kylie Lopez. Saint Martin's allowed a couple baserunners in the seventh but managed to close out the 6-2 victory.
 
In the second bill of the doubleheader, Dominican struck first, scoring a run in the first. The Saints wasted no time answering back. In the bottom half of the inning, Olivia Schmidt tied the game on a RBI single in the gap. Lucas proceeded to drive in another RBI on a double to left. A wild pitch, and a RBI single from Regan Byrd later, and Saint Martin's took a 4-1 lead into the second.
 
Dominican (0-2) capitalized on a five run third inning, highlighted by a grand slam to regain the lead 6-4. However, the lead did not last long as Saint Martin's once again responded. In the fourth, it was Lucas coming through with another clutch hit, driving in two with a double down the left field line to tie the game. Later in the inning, Byrd gave SMU back the lead with a two RBI single to left center. Destiny Conerly dropped a ball down the right field line, plating the fifth run of the fourth for a 9-6 lead.
 
The Saints proceeded to add insurance runs in the fifth and sixth, scoring two in the fifth on a home run from Lopez. Vanderbout added the final run with a RBI single down the left field line to secure the 12-6 victory.
 
Shaye Pinner got the start in the second game, going 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on two hits, with three walks, and three punchouts. Abby Runyon (1-0) picked up the victory after throwing 4.1 innings in relief, giving up only two runs on eight hits, with three walks, and two strikeouts.
 
Saint Martin's returns to action in the Desert Stinger with a doubleheader on Saturday starting with UT Tyler at 4:30 p.m. Live stats of the game can be found on smusaints.com.