LACEY, Wash. – Despite limiting Central Washington to only three runs over 14 innings, the Saints split their home opening doubleheader, 6-2 and 1-0, on Friday afternoon.
 
Saint Martin's (2-5) struck first in the opening game, using an RBI single from Olivia Schmidt to drive home Britney Patrick to put SMU on top 1-0.
 
Central Washington responded with a run in the top of the second before the Saints regained the lead. A two out RBI double from shortstop Destiny Conerly scored Kylee Vanderbout followed by an RBI single from Malia Pinder put SMU up 3-1.
 
Later in the third, an error from the Wildcats stretched the score to 4-1. The finishing blow came on another RBI hit from Schmidt. The right fielder put the final touches on the win with a two RBI single up the middle, securing the eventual 6-2 victory.
 
Tia Ridings (1-3) started the game, going the first four plus innings, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Chloe Leverington closed out the game, pitching the final three innings, allowing zero runs.
 
In the second game, it was a lone run by Central Washington that proved to be the difference maker.
 
Saint Martin's first base runners of the game came in the fourth inning on a walk from Vanessa Smoke. Pinder broke up the no-no with a bunt single in the middle of the infield. However, the Saints left two runners in scoring position in the fourth.
 
Saint Martin's had opportunities in the both the fifth and sixth innings but stranded a runner in scoring position both times.
 
Abby Runyon (0-2) picked up the loss despite going 4.2 innings, allowing the lone run on just three hits with three strikeouts. Kylie Parsons, and Leverington combined to throw the final 2.1 innings of relief with five strikeouts.
 
Saint Martin's schedule for the weekend adjusted mid-day, now traveling to Ellensburg, Washington to face Simon Fraser in a neutral site doubleheader. Live stats of the game will be available on smusaints.com.