FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Behind two electric outings from the Saints' freshman arms, Saint Martin's opened the 2021 season with a 10-3 and 3-0 victories over Pacific on Saturday.
Abby Runyon (1-0) got the first game, going all seven innings, and allowing only three earned runs with three strike outs. The Saints (2-0) exploded in the sixth inning with seven runs, to break open the game, before a
Karley Yoshioka two-run bomb sealed the game in the seventh. In the second game,
Tia Ridings (1-0) wasted no time to establish herself inside the circle. The freshman lefty tossed a 3-hit, complete game shutout, and a
Kylee Vanderbout two-run home run sealed the doubleheader sweep.
The Saints trailed Pacific (0-2) for a majority of the first game until the sixth inning. Down 2-to-1, and the bases-loaded, Saint Martin's capitalize on an error, along with a fly-out to take the lead.
Kylie Lopez drove in the fourth run of the game on a single to center, setting up Vanderbout. The now leftfielder, cleared the bases with a double to center, blowing up the game.
Olivia Schmidt capped-off the inning with an RBI double to give SMU an 8-to-2 lead.
Yoshioka, the senior transfer from Concordia, made an immediate impact in the 3 hole, hitting the first SMU home run of the year to deep center field. Pacific managed to add another run in the bottom of the seventh, but ultimately fell 10-to-3.
Vanderbout and the Saints' offense didn't wait long to strike in the second end. With
Kylie Lopez on first, Vanderbout went deep to left field, putting the Saints on the board. Saint Martin's managed to collect an insurance run in the fifth when
Julia Lucas' HBP drew in a run.
However, freshman Ridings needed little to no help as the lefty carved through the Boxers' lineup. Pacific only managed to collect five hits, with one being extra bases, a lead-off double in the third. Ridings also limited damage by only allowing one walk, while striking out five batters.
The Saints return home next weekend for their home opener, hosting Withworth Feb. 27-28. First pitch is scheduled for noon both days, and live stats and streaming will be available on smusaints.com. No spectators will be allowed to any Saint Martin's events.
