LACEY, Wash. – Behind a complete game shutout from Abby Runyon, and an explosive 10-run outburst, the Saints managed to sweep Montana State Billings on the day.
 
Runyon (3-1) went her for second consecutive complete game shutout, allowing seven hits, with three walks, and two punchouts for the win.  Britney Patrick delivered the only offense the Saints (7-1) needed in the opener, connecting on a two-run home run in the first inning. In the second game, after falling behind 6-1 in the second, the Saints rallied to win 10-6 to take the first two off the Yellowjackets (3-5).
 
In a pitcher's duel in the first game, Runyon, and Julia Qualteri of Montana State Billings traded zeros on the board back and forth all game. The only offense came in the first three batters for the Saints in the first inning. After Megan Convery, who collected five hits on the day, singled down the left field line, Patrick delivered the blow on a 2-0 fastball. The home run cleared the left field fence, and the Saints went on to win 2-0.
 
Montana State Billings used a five-run second inning to jump on the Saints early, taking a 6-2 lead. It wasn't until the fourth that Saint Martin's managed to come alive at the plate.
 
An RBI double from Convery jumpstarted the offense, followed by a Patrick two RBI single down the right field line. Destiny Conerly tied the game later in the inning on a sac fly, and Julia Lucas' double put SMU back on top 7-6.
 
Patrick and Olivia Schmidt provided insurance runs in the fifth inning to widen the lead to 10-6. Savannah Owen (1-0) got the start inside the circle, and after a shaky start, settled right in. The righty proceeded to throw five shutout innings after her five run second, including leaving the bases loaded in the seventh with the tying run at the plate.
 
The Saints and the Yellowjackets will conclude the series tomorrow, Sunday, March 7 at noon. Live stats and streaming will be available on smusaints.com.