ST. PETER, Minn. – The Carleton College softball team continued its late-season surge as the Knights extended their win streak to a program record-tying 10 games thanks to a sweep at Macalester College by scores of 3-0 and 5-4.
Rachel Block, the reigning MIAC Pitcher of the Week, was the winning pitcher in both contests. She tossed a three-hit shutout in the opener and added 3.0 solid innings of relief work in the nightcap. Block is 6-0 with a 1.75 ERA over her last six appearances.
Carleton improved to 20-14 (10-8 MIAC) on the year, tied for the third-highest overall win total in team history (see chart below). The Knights moved into a tie for sixth place in the conference standings with 11 days remaining before the six-team MIAC Playoffs begin.
"Game one was just a gem," said Carleton head coach
Amy Erickson. "Rachel threw a dominant game, the defense helped with some great plays behind her, and we just kept hammering with the bats.
"Game two was a battle. I'm so proud of our grittiness to keep fighting every at-bat, every pitch, and every defensive out. It was a true team effort. Our dugout was loud and helped propel the team to this record-tying win."
Game 1 — Carleton 3, Macalester 0
Block kept the Scots (20-15, 11-6 MIAC) off balance as she tossed her third career shutout. She did not issue a walk and surrendered only three singles to a lineup that entered the contest batting .351 on the season. Block allowed only one base runner to reach second base.
Macalester ace Martha Miller and Block took turns hanging zeros on the scoreboard in the first two innings. Carleton broke the deadlock in the third stanza.
Megan Smith drew a leadoff walk, and advanced to second on
Gloria Hronek's two-out single to center field.
Jade Thach's groundball was misplayed by the shortstop and the ball rolled into left field. Smith raced around third and got her hand on the plate just before the tag.
The Knights tacked on two insurance tallies in the fifth inning.
Adriana Wiggins singled, and Thach doubled off the wall in right field.
Emily Vogel smacked the next pitch into the left-centerfield gap for a two-run double that chased Miller from the game.
Block faced just one batter over the minimum spanning the final five frames to close out the win.
Vogel had three doubles in the contest, while Smith, Hronek, and
Samantha Rodriguez each had two base knocks.
Game 2 — Carleton 5, Macalester 4
The Knights erased a pair of deficits before holding on at the end to push their win streak to double digits.
Carleton scored on a passed ball in the top of the first, with Macalester plating the equalizer on a wild pitch in the home half of the inning. The Scots took their first lead of the day via a leadoff double and RBI single in the bottom of the second.
The Knights knotted the score at 2-2 in the fourth as Rodriguez singled, stole second, and scored on Thach's sharp single to left. Macalester re-gained the advantage in the bottom of the frame, thanks to a double, single, and error.
It remained a 3-2 score until the top of the sixth. Rodriguez walked with one down, Wiggins reach on and error, and Hronek delivered a game-tying single to center. Thach and Vogel followed with RBI singles of their own to give the Knights the 5-3 lead.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh. Macalester loaded the bases with three consecutive one-out singles before a groundout produced a run. After a wild pitch moved the tying and winning runs into scoring position, Block induced a game-ending popout.
Sydney Trentman made the start for Carleton, fanning four without a walk while allowing three runs on seven hits over 4.0 innings in the circle. Block pitched the final 3.0 frames, permitting a run on four hits while earning her second victory of the day.
Smith, Rodriguez, and Thach had two hits apiece, with Rodriguez scoring twice and Thach driving home a pair.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts crosstown rival St. Olaf College for a twin bill on Friday, May 1. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Longest Win Streaks in Carleton Softball History
10 -- March 22-April 8, 2000
10 -- April 15, 2026-present
8 -- April 21-27, 1979
8 -- April 8-20, 1989
7 -- April 24-28, 2018
Most Wins in Carleton Softball History
23 -- 2019 (23-15, 10-12 MIAC)
21 -- 2000 (21-13, 12-10 MIAC)
20 -- 2002 (20-16. 12-10 MIAC)
20 -- 2026 (20-14, 10-8 MIAC)
