AZUSA, Calif. – Brandi Schoessler and Abby Runyon allowed a combined two runs in 13.1 innings, highlighted by Runyon's first collegiate complete game shutout. The Saints fell in the opener 2-1 in extras before rallying to an 8-0 victory force a split with Azusa Pacific on Friday night.
 
In the opener, it was a pitcher's duel all the way through. Schoessler (3-1) only allowed one mistake through the first seven innings, giving up a solo home run in the third. Azusa Pacific (4-3) struggled to find any other traction on the senior, and was limited to five hits. It wasn't until the eighth that the Cougars managed to get to Schoessler, collecting three singles to pull off the 2-1 victory.
 
Saint Martin's (5-2) quickly tied the game back up in the fourth with a solo blast from first basemen Kylie Lopez. The senior connected for her then team-leading third home run of the year, and seventh RBI. The Saints had opportunities to score and take the lead, leaving runners on in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh inning. Their prime chance came in the fifth when SMU loaded the bases all with two outs, but a ground out stranded all three.
 
Another rubber match broke out in the second billing, with Runyon (2-1) working out of multiple jams. The freshman stranded six runners, two in each frame, the opening three innings alone. On the night, Runyon left 11 runners on the bases, but more importantly, refused to allow any to score.
 
Runyon worked through 29 batters, recording 12 fly outs, and five ground outs. The righty also finished the game with zero strikeouts, relying heavily on her defense to come up with outs.
 
The Saints' bats were quiet through four innings, but all that changed in the fifth. The scoring started on a throwing error by Azusa Pacific, allowing Megan Convery to score. Then Emery Norwood doubled to left, bringing home Destiny Conerly. A Kylee Vanderbout sac-fly later, Julia Lucas delivered with a two-out RBI single. It was capped off by Regan Byrd who scored Emily Thornton on a RBI single, and wild pitch made it 6-0 SMU.
 
Then in the sixth inning, the Saints and Vanderbout delivered the final blow. The sophomore connected on her third home run of the year, a shot to left field, scoring Conerly, and setting up the eight-run rule.

"It was a hard fought, competitive game in the first one," said head coach Jim Peterson. "We fell just short at the end. We had several scoring opportunities throughout the game but just could not get that key hit. In the second game, we played really well, and put several hits together to have a really good win. Abby threw a great shut out game."
 
Saint Martin's finishes their weekend with a doubleheader tomorrow at noon against Concordia Irvine. Live stats and video of the games will be available on smusaints.com.